McLaren has unveiled its new challenger today at the McLaren Technology
Centre. The presentation showcased a natural evolution of last year's
six-race-winning car and underlined the message that the new season is very much
one of growth through strength and continuity.
After finishing second in both the drivers' and constructors' championships in
2011, McLaren's aim for the new season is to fight for both world titles from
the very start of this year's campaign.
Evolutionary Design of MP4-27
While the all-new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-27 closely resembles last year's
multiple race-winning car, the 2012 chassis has been substantially revised from
the ground-up, with all major systems updated or re-designed for the new season.
The most evident visual differences include more tightly waisted rear bodywork,
developed to improve flow to the rear of the car, and a revised cooling system,
which re-directs the gearbox oil-cooler. Last year's U-shaped sidepods have also
been re-designed - a legacy of the FIA's new exhaust regulations that redefine
the shape of the rear bodywork.
Driver Line-Up
Maintaining the belief in the validity of strengthened continuity, Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes is the only team in Formula 1 whose driver line-up consists of
two world champions: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
Between them, they have scored 22 grand prix victories for Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes and are the strongest and most consistent driver line-up in the sport.
Maintaining the partnership into a third successive season was merely a
formality. Strength drawn from consolidation of engineering and race teams On
the technical front, McLaren's engineering trio Tim Goss (director of
engineering), Paddy Lowe (technical director) and Neil Oatley (director of
design and development programs) once more remain at the forefront of the
drawing office. For 2012, they will be joined by sporting director Sam Michael,
whose arrival coincides with the re-organization of McLaren's trackside
personnel roster.
Following a one-day private shakedown, Jenson Button will begin track testing of
the MP4-27 at Spain's Circuito de Jerez on Tuesday February 7.
2012 MP4-27 Formula One Car (front view)
