McLaren have finally announced their new driver line-up for 2015 as it embarks on a new era with Honda power. While Fernando Alonso joins from Ferrari, Jenson Button is retained as a racing racing. Kevin Magnussen will stay at the team as test and reserve driver.
This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
Gaz. wrote:Jokes are funny. The quality of TJ13 has fallen off a cliff in the last few months.
That blog is a joke since day one.
They had their moments in the early part of 2014 when they were clearly well connected to a few people in the pitlane.
Back to the team, are Mclaren allowed to run a Honda PU at the Abu Dhabo test?
TJ13 was always a joke. Mclaren are allowed to run a Honda in Abu Dhabi, but it seems like it won't happen.
“To be able to actually make something is awfully nice”
Bruce McLaren on building his first McLaren racecars, 1970
“I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go”
Sir Frank Williams after the 2003 Canadian GP, where Ralf hesitated to pass brother M. Schumacher
I can't find the original source, but our member Matt Sommers has this on his blog:
Matt Somers wrote: In an interview at Suzuka, Ron Dennis has confirmed that the team will use a car designated the MP4-29H, giving the team time to hone the MP4-30 before Melbourne. He also went onto say that out of respect for Mercedes the team wouldn't test the Honda PU at the post Abu Dhabi GP.
Not running the new engine is a big price they pay for their "respect". I would rather say it is either not ready or not possible by contract.
Not running the new car in the first tests...urgs...I can not get this in times when every meter counts.
MP4-30 will have a chance of being the next MP4-18, while the MP4-29H continues. But i don't expect the next season to be anything like 2003 (it will be more like 2014, so why bother with a new car)............
But I think the objective is clear, run the most developed MP4-29 at Yas Marina then beat the times with a MP4-29H a few days later, nothing like starting the winter with some hope after a bleak 2 years.
There may also be an argument for testing the 29H with the Merc engine if it's a new design philosophy as it will allow them to compare it against the 29 with the same engine. That way when they fit the Honda PU they will have an idea of how much is chassis and how much is PU...if that makes sense. Basically, change 1 variable at a time (okay, I'm aware that the 29H probably has more than just a few variables different from the 29!!).
Favourite driver: Lando Norris
Favourite team: McLaren
Turned down the chance to meet Vettel at Silverstone in 2007. He was a test driver at the time and I didn't think it was worth queuing!! 🤦🏻♂️