Whitmarsh on McLaren drivers relationship

Whitmarsh sure of healthy relationship being maintained at McLaren

McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh is confident that Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will continue their strong relationship into 2011 despite poor pre season testing form suggesting both former world champions will not be in contention for victory in Melbourne on Sunday.

"We have got two great world champions; they're great racing drivers and they definitely want to beat each other and the other drivers," Whitmarsh said. "That is extremely healthy and normal. It was the case last year and I think this time last year people were speculating that there would be lots of difficulties but the truth is that both drivers have respect for one another. They genuinely like each other and it doesn't matter what I say or how we as a team try to spin it, I think anyone who sees them in close proximity can see that they get on."

Whitmarsh was also quick to emphasize that he is confident that although there remains the prospect of McLaren entering a third consecutive season without a race-winning car at the first race of the year, tensions between the team and the drivers themselves will remain fluid and that both men will be free to race one another.

"They have an understanding, and I've always been completely open with the pair of them," he confirmed. "Even down to the end of the season in the very last race in Abu Dhabi. Before the start of the race I told Jenson he was entitled to race even though Lewis was in contention for the championship and I think Jenson respected that. Lewis respects how we've been fair and open and I don't foresee any problems this managing the relationship between our two drivers."