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Lothar,
Please believe me when I say the NF example is analogous to the way McLaren work.
The success of that project was not only down to the driving force of both RD and NF, but also an appreciation of the design process delivering results, on both sides. I was fortunate to spend the best part of a decade at Fosters and have since been fortunate enough to work with a then member of the McLaren Team in another context since and gained their view of the project. That's why I though the example was suitable. It may not be exact and things may have changed since then.
I agree that for the 2007 car his departure will be countered. However for the 2008 car it will be more difficult, not impossible for sure, merely more difficult and in this day and age any slight slip in the rate of development is severely punished. This applies doubly if they lose FA as well. Neither PDLR or Gary are going to be able to take up the slack. Perhaps LH will, but the signs so far in his career are not unequivocal in this area, unlike say Senna or MS at similar stages.
I doubt that MCL would fall down the pack but Ferrari and BMW are not going to let up and can easily up the ante to make next season very interesting.
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