Published>Sat, Jan 30 10 12:29 AM
McLaren committed a rare lapse on Friday moments after declaring themselves better prepared than ever for the Formula One season ahead.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh disclosed that the sleek new MP4-25 car, considerably longer than last year's, had posed an unexpected headache when they tried to move it around the factory.
"This car was finished last night, we went to put it in the lifts within our building which are designed for cars and it wouldn't fit in. It was too long and we hadn't realised," he said. An alternative exit was used instead.
The new car is more elongated to accomodate aerodynamic developments and a fuel tank whose capacity has doubled in size due to the ban on refuelling.
McLaren kept the rear diffuser, a part that caused considerable controversy last year when a double-decker version was introduced by eventual champions Brawn, covered up and away from prying eyes.
"We are being a little but coy or discreet with the double-diffuser," said Whitmarsh of a detail that teams have already agreed to ban for 2011.
McLaren started last year full of confidence, with the number one on their car after Lewis Hamilton's championship success.
Their optimism was deflated at the first test, when it became apparent that the Mercedes-powered car was well off the pace, and it took them half a season before Hamilton could again top the podium.
BETTER PREPARED
Fellow-Briton Jenson Button has brought the number one to the team this season after moving from Brawn and McLaren believed that they would not repeat the failings of 2009.
"We have prepared for this season more comprehensively than ever before," said Whitmarsh.
Hamilton was encouraged by what he saw: "The car looks so much different, completely different, and I feel so proud as I have had some input into it," he said. "I am sure it will handle completely differently to last year's car.
"We have been working on this car for quite some time now. The guys are working flat out trying to build components, develop and improve the downforce and aero efficiency."
Whitmarsh recognised that there could still be nasty surprises in store.
"We know how hard we have worked and prepared this year. You never know of course whether you have missed something," he told reporters.
"There are a number of things on this car that I have never seen on a Formula One car so I find that heartening.
"But there might be a few things (on other cars), just as the double-diffuser was for us last year, that we have never seen before. So you can never be absolutely confident.
"I hope that the season isn't won or lost in the testing or first few races," he added, referring to Button's success in winning six of the first seven races last year in a Brawn that enjoyed an early technical advantage.
Test driver Gary Paffett will give the new car its first run in Valencia on Monday.
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