McLaren yesterday unveiled the MP4-24; the car bearing the number 1 with which Lewis Hamilton will defend his world championship.

The launch event took place at the Mercedes-powered team's pristine Woking headquarters, but the first example of the new model is already at the Portimao circuit in Portugal.

Ahead of next week's group test in the Algarve region, McLaren has booked a private session at the circuit for today, where Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa will give the 2009 car its track debut.


With a tight schedule ahead of the looming testing ban at the start of the season, de la Rosa and the team will rely more heavily on simulation work at the Woking factory.

Team boss Ron Dennis stated at the launch that 95 percent of the performance gains last year came from simulation alone and not track testing.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

After unveiling the new McLaren Mercedes MP4-24, team bosses declared themselves confident that the capabilities of the car, coupled with the talent of 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and teammate Heikki Kovalainen, will allow the team to fight for both the drivers' and constructors' crowns during the 2009 season.

"Last year was immensely satisfying for everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, but our intense focus ahead of '09 gave us little time for celebration," said team principal Ron Dennis, who also announced he will be stepping down from that role before this year's Formula 1 season begins.

"The regulatory changes have only increased our ambition to remain at the competitive vanguard and, for this year, our target is clear: to win both world championships if possible," he declared.

"Lofty aims, I grant you, but we exist to win," Dennis underlined.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren's CEO Forumla One, will be moving to the position of team principal next March 1st when Dennis takes on other McLaren Group projects. The 50-year-old will be instrumental in leading McLaren to its ambitious double title goal.


He takes over at a time when the regulations bring several changes to the field, from the removal of aerodynamic components to the addition of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems to the long-awaited return of slick tyres.

"The new regulations for 2009 are the biggest changes to Formula 1 for many, many years and are expected to significantly affect every team's competitive parameters," Whitmarsh pointed out.

"As such, this year's world championship could well be won through strength in depth, resourcefulness and sheer ingenuity," he stated.

"And the reality is that we feel very well-equipped to fight in every single one of those areas."

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International

 

Thanks for sharing this, Hamad. I was really hoping there'd be a glimpse of the new car though!