F1 : McLaren MP4-30 revealed

The McLaren MP4-30, the team’s first Honda-powered racing car since 1992, has been pictured for the first time ahead of the 2015 season.

The team are the only one on the grid to use Honda’s new RA615H power unit as the Japanese manufacturer returns to F1 for the first time since 2008.

Together McLaren and Honda won all four constructors’ championships and powered the four drivers’ champions between 1988 and 1991 – a success they intend to replicate.

“I was team principal all those years ago,” said group CEO Ron Dennis, “and while I don’t tend to like looking back to the past our previous record of sustained success was certainly instrumental in creating the confidence to make the decision to partner with Honda again”.

“Now, there’s real hunger to demonstrate the capabilities of the huge talent pool we share between us, and I’m totally committed to driving progress and achieving further success.”

Team principal Eric Boullier, who joined McLaren at the start of last season, said the team is “stronger than ever” following the restructuring which took place last year. “We acknowledge that our journey will require a huge amount of hard work, dedication and application from everyone involved, in both Woking and Sakura,” he said, “but we’re ready and committed to building on the foundations we’ve already established in order eventually to enjoy the results we crave”.

source: f1fanatic.co.uk

McLaren denies pre-jerez run for 2015 car

McLaren has denied reports it will run its Honda-powered 2015 Formula 1 car a few days before its launch and official test debut.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo claimed that, following news the MP4-30 will be launched on 29 January, the car will actually clock up some laps beforehand.

“A few days before [the launch], the car will run at Silverstone for a shakedown and to shoot a promotional film,” the report added. “It is hoped the software problems of the post-season test in Abu Dhabi have been solved.”

But a McLaren spokesman told us: “We are not planning to run the MP4-30 before the Jerez test.”

El Mundo also claimed McLaren is likely to enter a second consecutive season without a title sponsor, given that talks with the Spanish mobile operator Movistar are not promising.

Meanwhile, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Sauber is likely to launch its 2015 car in a simple pitlane unveiling ceremony ahead of the Jerez test.


*Source-grandprix247.com

Mercedes will target Alonso if Hamilton does not extend his contract

Hamilton's current contract is set to expire at the end of the year although both sides have expressed a desire to continue together in 2016.  Contract negotiations were put on hold during 2014 in order to allow Hamilton to concentrate on the championship.

In case Hamilton does not agree to extend his contract, Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff has identified Fernando Alonso as his main target to replace Lewis Hamilton for 2016 season.

Talking about Lewis Hamilton's contract negotiations to Gazetta Dello Sport, Wolff said "There's no hurry, it will be discussed during the year,".

After being asked if the two do not reach to an agreement, Wolff said "I am optimistic [of reaching a deal with Hamilton], the priority is to continue with these two drivers. But if it's not possible, Alonso is the first alternative. Then there is [Valtteri] Bottas". 

McLaren understand Honda engine problems

McLaren are confident that they have now understood the Honda engine woes suffered at their first public appearance in Abu Dhabi testing.

McLaren Racing Director, Eric Boullier, says that they have got to the root cause of the issues after the team engineers spent last few weeks working hard to fix the issues. 

"We changed a little bit the schedule and we sent Honda, McLaren people and the car itself back here [to Woking] for full investigations," the Frenchman said.

"They worked very hard for a week and they found out everything. A recovery plan is in place. Part of it has already been fixed, so there are now some further tests on dynos to validate."

F1 : McLaren lineup still undecided

Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen face an even longer wait for McLaren to make its 2015 Formula 1 line-up decision after a team board meeting failed to resolve the issue.

McLaren's 2015 line-up is still undecided after its Thursday board meeting failed to reach a firm choice between Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen.

Team spokesperson : "Today's board meeting has now concluded and no decision has been taken with regard to our 2015 driver line-up."

Both drivers appeared at a promotional event in Edinburgh on Thursday for McLaren sponsor Johnnie Walker, and Button made clear that he wanted a decision as quickly as possible.

"I'm now really comfortable, and whatever happens I will have a great year next year," he told the Press Association.

"New challenges are exciting, whether it's in Formula 1 with McLaren alongside an exciting team-mate, or whether it's elsewhere.

"So I'm good, but I just want to get it done. I want to hear the decision - as we all do - so we can all move on in whatever direction."

In the end, Button may decide that he can no longer wait for McLaren to make a decision and could choose to seek a drive elsewhere in motor sport - most likely in sportscars.