The new McLaren MP4-18 will finally break cover next week.
McLaren's 2003 challenger is expected to run on the 21st May at the Paul Ricard test circuit in France. The replacement for the interim MP4-17D car is expected to be a radical design that McLaren hope will catapult them to the front of the F1 grid.
The MP4-18 is rumoured to be smaller, lighter and more compact than its predecessor although technical director Adrian Newey admitted to AUTOSPORT magazine that the MP4-17D is "embarrassingly heavy". In addition, McLaren are thought to have specially designed the suspension system for the new car to suit the characteristics of the Michelin tyre. Last season both McLaren and Williams struggled to tune their cars to the Michelin tyre which was a compromise design relative to the 'bespoke' rubber Bridgestone supply to Ferrari. The new McLaren design will therefore look to maximise the benefits offered by the unique Michelin tyre design.
McLaren test driver Alex Wurz, who has had a seat fitting for the car admitted that the MP4-18 is a "very different car". However the new car is still unlikely to appear before the British Grand Prix in July, leaving Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard to battle Ferrari and the impressive Renault in their interim car for another five races.
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