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McLaren unveil new car

McLaren unveil new car

02/01/2012 06:30:36 PM

McLaren have unveiled the new car it hopes will end Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel's stranglehold on the Formula One World Championship in 2012.

After Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished second and fifth respectively in last season's title race, the McLaren team believe their new MP4-27 will halt Vettel's run as he aims for a third-straight title.

Button will get behind the wheel of the car for the first time in Jerez, Spain, next Tuesday, in off-season testing.

"It's a very exciting day for us all. It's the moment when we see how hard we've all been working," Button said.

"I want to say thanks to the guys who have been working flat out throughout the winter to develop this car."

"Testing is now very important. We've got to come out of the box and be strong. Testing is what it says on the tin, it's about finding your feet, about gaining in confidence in the team you're working with and the car you're driving."

Hamilton was impressed with what he saw from the new car.

"I think it looks fantastic. It's great to be here after a great winter. The car is the most refined looking we've had for some time, so I'm excited to get back into it," Hamilton said.

After being left in Vettel's wake for much of the season, McLaren's poor results were attributed to a poor period of testing period in 2011 as the team struggled to find the right set-up.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh looked ahead to the season's first Grand Prix in Australia hoping for a much better preparation this year.

"We won't know until qualifying in Australia where this car is," Whitmarsh said.

"Last year we had, by McLaren standards, an abysmal winter testing session where we didn't have pace. It was a relatively stressful process, and of course I'd be much happier to be not fighting those issues."

"There's a lot of work gone into this car and we believe we're in a better position this winter compared to last."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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