“On a weekend like we had you look for positives, and one of them was how
great the drivers were,” said Whitmarsh.
“Their attitude, their approach over a difficult weekend was very, very good.
“Jenson we know and love, so we expect that from him. He is that sort of
professional.
“For a young driver like Checo to arrive in this situation, and to cope with
it so well and perform in such difficult circumstances and in such a
positive way, is very encouraging.
“They’re working with the team, they are team players, and we are all in this
together.”
Instead of McLaren’s management doing the tub-thumping, it was left to the
drivers, which in turn has left Whitmarsh promising to repay them for their
energy.
“Both the guys were an inspiration with how they conducted themselves and
helped pull the team together,” added Whitmarsh.
“They were exemplary, and I can tell you, even myself you get raised by them,
you want to fight for them, they deserve it.
“It makes you even more determined to deliver for them because they did a
great job over the weekend in circumstances that were not good for them.”
In turn, Button has defended Whitmarsh, whose head is potentially on the
chopping block after four barren years in charge without a title, and after
overseeing this latest horrendous wrong turn.
The 33-year-old said: “It’s difficult to always be strong, but he is doing a
bloody good job.
“It is everybody’s job to stay positive. We have to say what we think about
the car, that is how it is. We cannot say everything is hunky-dory because
it is not.
“We know we have work to do, but we are all very strong within this team, and
we do work very closely together as a family. There is no finger-pointing.
“We want to improve, but it is going to be a long journey for us I think.”