McLaren Dismiss Lewis Error

By Sam Cooper
October 26 2007

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one team have dismissed the idea that Lewis Hamilton himself caused his gearbox problem at last weekends Brazilian Grand Prix, which ruined his chances of his first world title in his rookie season. McLaren believe a control valve caused the problem instead.

Hamilton reported to journalists that his finger slipped which caused his gearbox to select neutral; this cost the 22 year old Britain to lose over 30 seconds while he and the team rectified the problem, which definatly cost him the world title.

However Mercedes sporting director Norbert Haug dissmissed these claims and told magazine Bild-Zeitung "No, it was not Lewis' mistake. At the moment we suspect a problem of a (gearbox) control valve."

A hydralic problem was also confirmed by McLaren's Martin Witmarsh "It would appear that the barrels that change gear went out of control - and out of control of the driver - and that's probably hydraulic."

Meanwhile Britains Lewis Hamilton has rubished these claims telling reporters from Bild "That is total rubbish!"