Australian GP McLaren notes

Adelaide Grand Prix Race Day Review Sunday 12th November 1995

The Marlboro McLaren Mercedes team ended the 1995 Formula One season with a fourth place for Mark Blundell in the Australina Grand Prix, thus securing fourth place for the team in the Constructors' Championship. Starting from tenth on the grid, Mark drove a damaged and aerodynamically out of balance car and benefited from a high number of retirements to bring three more Championship points to the team's final tally of 30. The Marlboro McLaren Mercedes drivers finish seventh and tenth in the Drivers' Championship, with Mika Hakkinen scoring a total of 17 points and Mark Blundell 13.

Mark Blundell: "The car was not performing very well at first and I was struggling out there but I knew that if I could keep it going reliably we could pick up a place. In the middle part of the race it got slightly better and I could lap a lot more consistently. Then Martin Brundle hit me from behind following his pit stop, causing me to spin off into the first gear corner. I was completely spun round and had to start again, then the car was very loose for the remainder of the race. But most importantly it's nice to leave McLaren bringing some points to the team, and I would like to dedicate this fourth place to Mika."

Norbert Haug: "After Mika's accident on Friday and today's encouraging news about his condition, it is nice to get the three points for fourth place. I see them as a present for what the team has been through over the last three days. We made a big step forward with the engine, having registered no failures since Estoril. The whole team will now work hard to improve its performance in 1996. I would like to thank Mark for his contribution to the team this year, and we will give him our support to further his career in motor racing."

Ron Dennis: "The incident with Martin Brundle effectively put paid to what could have been a better result for Mark, as the impact sheared several floor fixings and destroyed any trace of aerodynamic balance. In the circumstances, the fourth place is not so bad and at least demonstrated our reliability. We finish fourth in the Championship and must now look forward to next year, which I am sure will be a much more competitive season for us."

"Mika continues to improve and regular medical bulletins will be made available from McLaren International over the next few days. Mark gets our thanks for his contribution this season and we wish him well for the future."