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After several weeks’ simulation and preparation, did the European Grand Prix weekend play out largely as you had expected?

Martin Whitmarsh : ”It’s fair to say we predicted more drama from a track lined with concrete walls and had factored the appearance of at least one Safety Car period into our pre-race calculations. The reality is that the race had its moments of controversy but never quite delivered the level of incident we’d been... // Auto Racing Daily

Although Lewis Hamilton left Valencia's European Grand Prix with an increased points advantage over his rivals, McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh accepts that the season is far from over.

McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh has said that he expects the Formula One championship battle to go to the wire, with the varying conditions expected at the remaining six venues set to play an important part in the outcome.

Speaking after the first European Grand Prix held around the Americas Cup port in Valencia, Whitmarsh claimed that Felipe Massa 's romp to victory had been aided by a change in temperature that suited the Ferrari , but insisted that things would not always play into the Scuderia's hands over the remaining rounds.

"I think Ferrari were pleased the sun came out on Sunday, as I'm sure they... // Yahoo! Eurosport

After several weeks' simulation and preparation, did the European Grand Prix weekend play out largely as you had expected?

Martin Whitmarsh: "It's fair to say we predicted more drama from a track lined with concrete walls and had factored the appearance of at least one Safety Car period into our pre-race calculations. The reality is that the race had its moments of controversy but never quite delivered the level of incident we'd been anticipated beforehand.

"I don't know whether that's down to us misinterpreting the level of risk involved in racing around this track or whether it was just a testament to the good driving standards of modern Formula 1 drivers. Nonetheless, we came away from Valencia having made gains in both championships, which was very encouraging."

How close did... // pitpass.com