McLaren today unveiled their the MP4-29 ahead of the first pre-season test at Jerez, via an online launch today on their website and Twitter feed.
The launch felt slightly overshadowed by Lotus’ announcement of Eric Boullier’s departure and the rumours that he’ll be announced as the new McLaren team principal amidst Ron Dennis’ efforts to turn the team’s recent bad performance around.
The MP4-29 will be the last McLaren to be powered by Mercedes ahead of the team switching to Honda power from 2015 onward.
The car was revealed with a clean, menacing silver livery with MP4-29 branding and little else. Two vodafone swooshes are seen on top ends of the sidepods, but the rocket red look is out the window as the team launched with no title sponsor.
Twitter fans went wild as images started appearing and the overall reaction has been a good one. Most were worried about the nose following the Williams team’s reveal of a rendering of their 2014 car but it seems feel that McLaren has done a far better job of working with the new nose tip height regulations.
“We’ve never had such significant new regulations before; reacting to them, and managing those changes, while still pushing the performance limits, has been an extremely tough job,” said managing director Jonathan Neale.
“We’ve been relatively pragmatic about it. We know that the need for consistency initially outweighs the need for performance – the winter tests won’t be about chasing set-up or refining the car; the envelope of performance is likely to be so wide, and so relatively unknown, that the winter – and to some extent the opening races – will be about understanding the operational boundaries of the car as best we can.”
“To achieve this, we need a consistent platform – one that responds positively to changes. Moreover, the work of the engineers and designers to understand and interpret trackside data will be more important than before.”
“That’s because this year, more than ever, will come down to a development race: I don’t necessarily think you can expect the car that wins the opening race to be the car that leads the championship charge, something we’ve often seen in the past.”
Jenson Button has said that the regulation changes make for an exciting time for drivers as he looked ahead at the 2014 season.
“I’ve spent my whole career jumping from different specification cars – I’ve driven V10s, V8s, I’ve raced on grooved tyres, on slicks, with KERS, with DRS, with traction control, without it, with refueling, without it. I’m still here!”
“Obviously, there’s a period of adaption, but the way I drive – working upwards to find the grip level, rather than working downwards – has always made it quite a seamless transition.”
“As a driver, it’s just an exciting time. I’m really looking forward to it – I love the mental challenge of tackling such a complex task; there’s so much to get your teeth into, and the prospect of problem-solving, and pulling apart difficult concepts and drilling down to find the best solution – that really motivates me.”
Team-mate Kevin Magnussen is also excited about his debut and is hoping that the regulation changes will aid his transition into the sport.
“In a way, the regulation changes makes things a little easier: at that first test in Jerez, everybody will be easing themselves into something new, rather than just getting in the car and driving away, so I’ll really be no different from any other driver,” he said.
“It’ll be how we react during the season that will define how successful we are. I know the engineers are working on new things all the time, but I think there’s still plenty of scope to move forward.”
The new MP4-29 will have its first outing at Jerez on Tuesday piloted by Jenson Button.
Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of McLaren.com
