Sport : F1

Milestone for McLaren

28th July 2012, 09:35pm

Martin Whitmarsh: Playing down landmark

Martin Whitmarsh: Playing down landmark

Lewis Hamilton's pole position for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix has given his McLaren team a little something extra to cheer about - it is their 150th time at the front of the grid.

Only Ferrari have achieved more qualifying success, having amassed 207 poles.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh described it as "an important milestone" for the team, but also played it down by adding: "It's really another day in the office."

The 54-year-old said: "That's what we're here to do, to put it on pole and then win the race.

"There are no points for it, no awards, but it's a nice feeling.

"It's always good to celebrate these things, but it's a bit like birthdays; when you've had as many as I have you just want to move on!"

McLaren's very first pole position came during their sixth season in Formula One, with America's Peter Revson taking the top spot at the 1972 Canadian Grand Prix.

Whitmarsh's first experience of pole as a McLaren employee came at the United States Grand Prix in Phoenix in 1990, when Gerhard Berger set the quickest qualifying lap on his debut with the team, outclassing Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton's first pole came at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix.

"I pretty much remember every pole position that I've ever had," said the 27-year-old.

"I'm always striving for perfection and that lap, and the pressure that we're all under to get that perfect lap is intense, yet exciting.

"If you get it right, it's incredibly empowering.

"This weekend we've obviously had the pace so I knew that it was possible. It was just a case of doing it and if I didn't, I would be quite disappointed considering I've had the pace all weekend. But fortunately I did it."

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