Things got decidedly prickly during the Friday team representatives' press conference on the opening day of the French Grand Prix weekend when McLaren team chief Eric Boullier and a Daily Mail journalist verbally sparred during the live broadcast from Circuit Paul Ricard.
Sportsmail journalist Jonathan McEvoy broke a story last Friday when he interviewed former McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh who described an atmosphere of dissatisfaction and dissent among th rank and file at Woking.
This was followed up by a denial from McLaren earlier this week after which McEvoy, with inside sources, wrote of some bizarre management practices and even talk of a strike.
Inevitably. during the FIA hosted press conference, Boullier was peppered with questions about the leak within his organisation. Here is an overview of the choice bits during the press conference regarding the talk of a revolution at MTC which led to the final spat:
Question from Phil Duncan, Press Association: Eric, will McLaren seek to identify and potentially discipline the individual member of staff who spoke out against the team today?
Boullier: This is obviously an internal matter, so we need to discuss what we need to see internally, what’s going… why that individual is unhappy. When you have, obviously 800 people… we have a lot of support from the workforce and from the engineering. I think it’s just a matter of a couple of people who are grumpy. Actually, in some way it’s maybe good for us because we have a lot of feedback and good feedback.
Boullier: This is obviously an internal matter, so we need to discuss what we need to see internally, what’s going… why that individual is unhappy. When you have, obviously 800 people… we have a lot of support from the workforce and from the engineering. I think it’s just a matter of a couple of people who are grumpy. Actually, in some way it’s maybe good for us because we have a lot of feedback and good feedback.
Question from Jonathan McEvoy, Daily Mail: Eric, do you accept any responsibility for the failings of this car. And will you resign?
Boullier: That’s a good question. Obviously, we are all responsible for the car performance. No, I will not resign, to answer your question. I know you have written some articles. I’ve got my twentieth year now in racing, I’ve won races and championships with every team I’ve managed before, including Formula One, so this is some record that you cannot take away from me. So I think we’re on a journey. We are not where we want to be, we are not happy with where we are – but with the journey, with the new Renault engine partner, and obviously we have a good team of people, we just need to make sure we are finding the issues with the car and correct them. We know where the issues with the car are, and make sure… when you build a car, when you believe in a concept, you have to develop the concept and make sure you correct if for the next one.
Boullier: That’s a good question. Obviously, we are all responsible for the car performance. No, I will not resign, to answer your question. I know you have written some articles. I’ve got my twentieth year now in racing, I’ve won races and championships with every team I’ve managed before, including Formula One, so this is some record that you cannot take away from me. So I think we’re on a journey. We are not where we want to be, we are not happy with where we are – but with the journey, with the new Renault engine partner, and obviously we have a good team of people, we just need to make sure we are finding the issues with the car and correct them. We know where the issues with the car are, and make sure… when you build a car, when you believe in a concept, you have to develop the concept and make sure you correct if for the next one.
Question from Alan Baldwin, Reuters: Another question for Eric, going back to the media reports today. Is there a toxic atmosphere at McLaren? Are you untouchable and are you fighting to save your job?
Boullier: No, I think at this level of responsibility we are all obviously working for the company, we are all making sure we take our responsibilities. There have been a couple of stories about some chocolate-gate, I think in the media today which was a bit funny to read – and again, it was good because actually we have tonnes of email from people saying ‘this is a joke’ – so maybe it’s a couple of people grumpy, which in any organisation you have some people who agree or disagree when there has been maybe miscommunication. I don’t know what is the problem of these people and I think we have invited them to come and see us to understand what their problems are, other than obviously talking through the back doors, y’know?
Boullier: No, I think at this level of responsibility we are all obviously working for the company, we are all making sure we take our responsibilities. There have been a couple of stories about some chocolate-gate, I think in the media today which was a bit funny to read – and again, it was good because actually we have tonnes of email from people saying ‘this is a joke’ – so maybe it’s a couple of people grumpy, which in any organisation you have some people who agree or disagree when there has been maybe miscommunication. I don’t know what is the problem of these people and I think we have invited them to come and see us to understand what their problems are, other than obviously talking through the back doors, y’know?
McEvoy: To Eric. Just to go back to the Freddo thing, will you be reviewing how you hand out Freddos at the factory? Will you stick with the Freddo rewards – or do they stop?
Boullier: I think if you did a course in management we can organise this for you. And if you’re really desperate to test the Freddo chocolate, we can send a box to you, don’t worry.
Boullier: I think if you did a course in management we can organise this for you. And if you’re really desperate to test the Freddo chocolate, we can send a box to you, don’t worry.
McEvoy: Thank you. Thank you for that offer. Could I just say…
Boullier: That’s enough of it. You’re looking after something, we will give you any answers later but I think it’s enough.
Boullier: That’s enough of it. You’re looking after something, we will give you any answers later but I think it’s enough.
McEvoy: No, no, it’s not enough. Do you expect to still be in your job at Silverstone?
Boullier: Yes. Of course. It’s a journey. It’s not a plug and play story. It’s a journey when you have to work too. You’re after me, apparently…
Boullier: Yes. Of course. It’s a journey. It’s not a plug and play story. It’s a journey when you have to work too. You’re after me, apparently…
McEvoy: But you’re being briefed against, by your own staff, by your management...
Boullier: I think you are lying now.
Boullier: I think you are lying now.
Matteo Bonciani: Sorry (Eric) Jonathan, we do not want to have a one to one. I’m trying to give a word to everybody. Eric, if you need so say something else?
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