Button: Who knows? Maybe we can win

Jenson Button has not ruled out a third straight win in the Australian GP despite his new MP4-26's mediocre performance in pre-season testing

The 2009 Champion, in an interview with his team's official website, said: "Albert Park has been good to me: I've won there for the past two seasons.

"It's a great circuit for racing, it always seems to create unpredictable races.

"And, perhaps because it's habitually at the start of the season when a precise pecking order has yet to be established, we often see fast cars running out of sequence - and the excitement that that brings.

"With the added issue of multiple tyre stops, it could be a very exciting and unpredictable race weekend."

On his prospects for next Sunday's season-opener he added: "I'm regularly being asked if I can make it three wins in a row this year.

"On paper that might not look likely, but, seriously, who knows? I most definitely wouldn't rule it out."

He said he had added motivation this year after the triple trauma suffered by Japan of last Friday's earthquake, tsunami and radiation scare.

"I go to Melbourne this weekend resolving to not only try my best, but also to salute the brave people, and my many friends, throughout Japan."

His team-mate, fellow Briton and 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton, conceded that on paper at least, McLaren faced a tough task to cope with the speed shown in testing by the likes of rivals Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

"We can't hide the fact that testing has been tougher than we expected," said Hamilton, who won at Albert Park in 2008.

"Our test mileage hasn't been as high as that of our rivals, nor have we had the outright pace of the fastest cars.

"Still, I have a good feeling with MP4-26: I like driving our car, I think it will look after its tyres quite well and I understand that we'll be making further performance steps ahead of this opening race.

"Nevertheless, we know we go to Melbourne ready for battle: some teams are extremely well prepared - both from a pace and reliability point of view - but that can sometimes count for little in the unpredictable and somewhat chaotic opening races where it's equally vital just to take points home.

"I strongly believe that, while our preparations haven't gone as smoothly as we'd have liked, I get the impression that we'll be arriving in Melbourne with everything finally meshing together - and that makes me really excited."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh acknowledged that McLaren would not figure among the favourites to win in Melbourne, but he echoed his drivers' optimism that a decent showing was possible.

He said: "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."

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton: MP4-26 is a second off the pace

McLaren are not as far off the pace as times set during pre-season testing may have implied, according to Lewis Hamilton

Opting to launch their 2011 challenger after the first pre-season test, McLaren were already on the back foot and were not helped by the many reliability issues that they encountered during the 12 days in their MP4-26.

McLaren's woeful form led BBC commentator Martin Brundle to describe the car as a "mess", adding that the MP4-26 had a "fundamental issue."

Lap time also hinted that the 2011 car, which reportedly has problems with both the front wing and the exhaust, is roughly two seconds slower than its rivals over short-distance runs.

Hamilton, though, insists this is not true.

"We are not two seconds from the front even if I never made it out of the 1.22s," the Brit told Auto Moto und Sport.

"But in the long distance runs, the lap times are okay."

The 2008 World Champ added that he believes, in full qualifying trim, he could still shave a few tenths off his times. Asked what he reckons the car is capable of, he said: "A low 1.22 time."

However, on the final day at Barcelona on a dry track, five drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld and Rubens Barrichello posted times of 1:22.2 or lower.

In fact, Schumacher's P1 time on that day was a 1:21.249, which means Hamilton's assessment would still put him a full second behind the German.

The McLaren driver, though, is confident his team has the ability to turn their fortunes around.

"I am optimistic and hope for positive improvements. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the guys come up with something new," he said.

"The hill that we need to climb is steep but I know we can do it. Last year, we also began the season with a car that was not the fastest."

Source: Planet-F1

JENSON BUTTON’S BEST IS NOT ENOUGH YET

Jenson Button emerged from his McLaren a far happier man today but still believing Red Bull and Ferrari will be ahead of the pack come the opening Grand Prix in Australia

Since unveiling their latest car, the MP4-26, much later than their rivals, McLaren have endured teething problems which have resulted in a lack of time on track in the past two tests.

But on the first day of the final pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Button finished second quickest, just over three tenths of a second behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber.

Button said: “It hasn’t been quite the best start to the year in terms of testing, mileage, reliability and also pace.

“I’d be surprised if we can really match the Red Bull and the Ferrari when we get to Melbourne.

“That’s a big ask considering the mileage we have done compared to them and the pace in the last tests compared to them.

“But never say never. We have made some good progress and I am happy with what we have achieved.”

Button now has just one more day in the McLaren ahead of the first practice session of the season around Melbourne’s Albert Park on March 25.

Source: Daily Express

In the hands of fans - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes reveal of the MP4-26

Source: vodafone

Photos: McLaren MP4-26 launch at Berlin 2011

McLaren MP4-26 launch in Berlin Today!

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McLaren reveal their MP4-26 at Berlin launch 2011

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button with the new McLaren MP4-26 at the Berlin launch

In a unique event attended by hundreds of fans, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes this morning brought together members of the public to construct and reveal its new MP4-26 chassis, the team’s challenger for the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Revealed at Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, the famous public space that sits on the fringe of the old Berlin Wall, the car was built up by dozens of Vodafone competition-winners, fans and customers carrying components into the arena, where the new chassis was gradually pieced together in front of a huge crowd.

This culminated in our race drivers – 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton and 2009 world champion Jenson Button – assembling the very final pieces to reveal the completed racecar.

Looking radically different from last year’s race-winning chassis, MP4-26 features a range of aerodynamic features designed to take advantage of new rules significantly limiting the amount of downforce that can be derived from the car’s underbody.

These most notably include distinctive U-shaped sidepods – to feed air more efficiently to the car’s rear-end – and an electronically adjustable rear-wing system, introduced for 2011 to increase the potential for overtaking.

Beneath the skin, the car houses an all-new electric hybrid system. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, along with our engine partners Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, became the first-ever Formula 1 team to win a grand prix using a hybrid device in 2009, and this new system is expected to further refine that race-winning package.

The team continues for 2011 with the proven driver pairing of world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Between them, they helped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to five grands prix victories, three one-two results and second overall in the 2010 constructors’ championship.

Following today’s launch, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ Gary Paffett will shake down MP4-26 during a private session at the Idiada Proving Ground in Spain on Tuesday February 8 before the team begins track testing at the Circuito de Jerez on Thursday February 10.

Lewis Hamilton:
“It’s great to see how many fans braved the Berlin weather to come to today’s event. I hope it’s been an exciting day for everyone: I think people saw a unique way of revealing our 2010 car, something that’s never been done before. I hope the car proves just as innovative once we take to the track next week.

“I head into 2011 in a relaxed but determined frame of mind. I’ve spared nothing during my winter fitness preparations and, in many ways, I feel as fit, focused and refreshed as I did ahead of my first season in Formula 1 in 2007.

“Having spent the past few weeks talking with our designers and engineers, I feel extremely happy that we’ve created a car that will once again allow us to fight at the front.

“This will be my fifth season in Formula 1. I’m an experienced driver now, and I’ve won the world championship, scored lots of pole positions and taken many race wins. So my aim for this year is to ensure that everything comes together in the best possible way and that, like last year, I’m able to fight for the title right down to the final race.

“Of course, Jenson and I will be racing alongside three fellow world champions in 2011, and that’s a testament to the strength of Formula 1 right now. It’s incredibly hard to say who’ll be up at the front, but I’m an absolute racer and I’m looking forward to some fantastic, close racing and another thrilling conclusion to the season – hopefully with a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver on top!”

Jenson Button
“It’s strange to think that this is only the start of my second season at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, because I’ve felt so comfortable since joining the team last January.

“Even so, I’d still consider 2010 something of a building year, albeit, with two victories, a pretty solid one! For the new season, I’ve not only got a year’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes experience under my belt, but I’ve also been able to offer input into the design and development of the new car – something that I was naturally unable to do last year.

“Now I really feel I know how Vodafone McLaren Mercedes goes racing, and I’ll be driving a car that’s been fully developed around Lewis and myself – that’s a very empowering feeling.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to drive the new car for the first time. Our pre-season simulations suggests that the new Pirelli tyres should be well-suited to my particular driving style, so I’m hopeful of being able to derive a good advantage from the tyres during the races.

“Today really marks the beginning of our 2011 season after what seems a very long time away from the track. It’s been a really exciting event for all the fans who attended, and now I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of MP4-26 for the first time next week.”

Martin Whitmarsh – Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“I think today’s innovative launch demonstrates the enthusiasm within Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to engage the general public; to show them that our sport is intense and exciting, and that we’re very keen to showcase Formula 1 to the wider world.

“Through the efforts of FOTA, we really want broaden the sport’s appeal while also introducing innovative and energy-conscious new ideas that will simultaneously improve racing and help generate new technologies within the motor industry.

“I’m hopeful that Formula 1 stands poised on the cusp of an incredible new era.

“With Lewis and Jenson, we have two of the most exciting, charismatic and high-profile personalities in the sport, and the whole team feels a powerful sense of responsibility to provide them with the very best machinery with which to showcase their very evident talents to the world.

“The MP4-26 is the result of an incredible amount of hard work, innovative thinking and dynamic teamwork. Under the leadership of Paddy Lowe [technical director], Tim Goss [engineering director] and Neil Oatley [director of design and development programmes], our design department is more integrated than ever: in fact, I’m particularly proud of the contributions made by our project engineers, many of whom have taken on leadership roles for the very first time and who had worked so well together to create this very striking and individual-looking car.

“While we’re all hopeful of once more adding to our tremendous record in Formula 1, this sport is so unpredictable and finely pitched at the moment that it’s impossible accurately to forecast the state of play until the season starts next month. That’s a tantalising prospect for Formula 1’s many millions of existing fans – and, I hope, something that will attract many millions more by the end of what looks set to be an absolutely fantastic year.”

Morten Lundal – Group Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone
“We were delighted to see Vodafone customers playing a part in the innovative launch event for the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26 car, presenting parts of the car to the team mechanics as it was assembled and revealed for the first time today in Berlin – a real ‘power to you’ experience. As part of our 2011 Formula One plans, Vodafone will be developing many similar events that engage and empower fans, our customers and the wider public to really get close to the Formula One action – making it more accessible and inclusive for all. We wish the team and drivers, Lewis and Jenson, all the best for a successful season ahead.”

Source: YallaF1

McLaren releases its testing programme

It doesn’t matter how busy you are over the winter, finishing off the new car – without the scream of race engines in the distance it can feel like you’re standing still.

Like all the other Formula 1 teams, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been working flat out since returning from Abu Dhabi back in November. The team has a wealth of new challenges to think about for 2011: new technical regulations, a new tyre supplier and even a new circuit on the calendar.

On track, the silence is about to be broken.

It’s time to validate all the research and planning as McLaren is getting ready to go racing. The four test sessions ahead are vital to the preparations for the 2011 F1 season. The first task is to learn as much as it can about the new Pirelli tyre family using a car McLaren already know plenty about: last year’s MP4-25.

Armed with that knowledge, after the launch of the MP4-26 on February 4, McLaren will start testing the new car at Jerez.

McLaren’s 2011 test programme (with relevant drivers) in full:

VALENCIA (tyre test using MP4-25 chassis)
Feb 1 Gary Paffett
Feb 2 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 3 Jenson Button

JEREZ (first scheduled run for MP4-26)
Feb 10 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 11 Jenson Button
Feb 12 Lewis Hamilton
Feb 13 Jenson Button

BARCELONA
Feb 18-19 Jenson Button
Feb 20-21 Lewis Hamilton

BAHRAIN
Mar 3 Jenson Button
Mar 4 Lewis Hamilton
Mar 5 Jenson Button
Mar 6 Lewis Hamilton

Source: Nextgen

Hamilton to debut new McLaren on February 10

Lewis Hamilton will be the first McLaren driver to test the 2011-specification MP4-26 next month.

The British team said Jenson Button is then scheduled to drive on day two of the second group test at Jerez, according to Reuters journalist Alan Baldwin on Twitter.

McLaren will not reveal the 2011 car until after the first pre-season test at Valencia, where test driver Gary Paffett will kick off the winter programme in a modified 2010-spec MP4-25.

2008 world champion Hamilton was at McLaren’s Woking headquarters on Wednesday to drive in the simulator.

"(2011) car feels good, never know how others will be but I’m happy with where we are," the 26-year-old said on his IAmLewis4Real Twitter account.

The Sun newspaper said Hamilton, with a new personal trainer this year in Finn Antti Vierula, has returned from a training holiday in Colorado to attend a team training camp with Button.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh revealed that, ahead of the gruelling 20-race calendar this year, Hamilton and Button were given a long period of vacation.

"I told my colleagues last year, Let’s give our drivers six weeks in which I am not going to ring them - and I don’t want anyone else to ring them either," he said.

Source: Nextgen

Hamilton excited by 2011 car

Lewis Hamilton admits that his initial impressions of the MP4-26 are very positive, despite the fact that he hasn't actually driven it yet

Hamilton spent the day at the team's Woking headquarters working on a simulator and reveals that the car appears to be in good shape for next season even at this early stage.

"Lots of neat ideas and improvements," Hamilton said on his Twitter page.

"First time driving the new car and I was happy. KERS and rear wing is trick but felt right at home with it."

The Kers (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system was put on the backburner for 2010 after making its debut in 2009 in an effort to cut costs, but the system is set to be re-introduced next season.

While Hamilton has experience using KERS in 2009, his team-mate Jenson Button does not as Button's team last year, Brawn GP, did not make use of the technology.

Despite this, Button is confident that McLaren will have a big advantage next season, in a large part due to their Mercedes engines.

"I've never driven with KERS before but this team used KERS last year and used it well. I know because they kept coming by me at the start," said Button.

"They have so much experience in that area that I think we'll have an advantage, as will Mercedes and Force India who use Mercedes engines. We'll have an advantage on Red Bull and Ferrari I think," added the 2009 World Champion.

Hamilton for one has no doubt the team will be well placed due to their KERS system.

"Our KERS is the best. It shud (should) deliver," he declared.

Source: Planet-F1