The new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-26 features some very interesting innovations and despite having posted somewhat disappointing lap times in testing, it could cause a surprise in the streets of Albert Park in Melbourne next weekend.
The MP4-26 features unique L-shaped sidepods, air intakes located on top of the airbox, the Mercedes KERS device and possibly tricky exhaust pipes to blow hot air underneath the floor.
“Testing MP4-26 beyond its limit has, in some ways, been highly instructive. In actual fact, we’ve gathered a huge amount of useful data about the car, its handling characteristics and its management of the tires,” said Martin Whitmarsh, Team principal, McLaren.
“So, do I think our testing pace is representative of the pace we’ll show in Australia? No. Do I think we head into the weekend as race favourites? Unfortunately no. But do I feel that we have the capacity to surprise a few people and be competitive? Very much so,” Whitmarsh added.
Both drivers agree with their boss.
“We can’t hide the fact that testing has been tougher than we expected: our test mileage hasn’t been as high as that of our rivals, nor have we had the outright pace of the fastest cars,” said Lewis Hamilton.
“Still, I have a good feeling with MP4-26. I like driving our car, I think it will look after its tires quite well and I understand that we’ll be making further performance steps ahead of this opening race,” Hamilton continued.
“Albert Park has been good to me: I’ve won there for the past two seasons; it’s a great circuit for racing,” Jenson Button explained.
“It always seems to create unpredictable races. With the added issue of multiple tire stops, it could be a very exciting and unpredictable race weekend. Can I make it three wins in a row? On paper that might not look likely, but seriously, who knows? I most definitely wouldn’t rule it out,” Button said.
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| Photo: WRI2 |
The MP4-26 features unique L-shaped sidepods, air intakes located on top of the airbox, the Mercedes KERS device and possibly tricky exhaust pipes to blow hot air underneath the floor.
“Testing MP4-26 beyond its limit has, in some ways, been highly instructive. In actual fact, we’ve gathered a huge amount of useful data about the car, its handling characteristics and its management of the tires,” said Martin Whitmarsh, Team principal, McLaren.
“So, do I think our testing pace is representative of the pace we’ll show in Australia? No. Do I think we head into the weekend as race favourites? Unfortunately no. But do I feel that we have the capacity to surprise a few people and be competitive? Very much so,” Whitmarsh added.
Both drivers agree with their boss.
“We can’t hide the fact that testing has been tougher than we expected: our test mileage hasn’t been as high as that of our rivals, nor have we had the outright pace of the fastest cars,” said Lewis Hamilton.
“Still, I have a good feeling with MP4-26. I like driving our car, I think it will look after its tires quite well and I understand that we’ll be making further performance steps ahead of this opening race,” Hamilton continued.
“Albert Park has been good to me: I’ve won there for the past two seasons; it’s a great circuit for racing,” Jenson Button explained.
“It always seems to create unpredictable races. With the added issue of multiple tire stops, it could be a very exciting and unpredictable race weekend. Can I make it three wins in a row? On paper that might not look likely, but seriously, who knows? I most definitely wouldn’t rule it out,” Button said.
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| Photo: WRI2 |