McLaren MP4-29 Unveiling

Sleek, silver and shocking, the new McLaren MP4-29 has certainly divided opinion. The car features the most radical nose design yet - the 'anteater' extension which was noticeable on the Williams is supported by two vertical spars on either side. It is certainly a peculiar design which will take some getting used to. Meanwhile, the main talking point of the day was Martin Whitmarsh's absence from the launch, with McLaren Managing Director, Jonathan Neale, taking the reigns. With Eric Boullier turning his back on Lotus this morning, it seems as though he could be on his way to McLaren. Coincidences are decidedly rare in Formula One...

The MP4-29 features one of the most radical nose designs we are likely to see
(c) McLaren Mercedes

2013 Team Reviews: McLaren

The 2013 Team Review series has run into 2014 and there is still plenty more to come. Today it is McLaren who are up for examination after a year of disappointment and despair for the team as they suffered their first season without a podium finish since 1980. Despite the best efforts of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, the season was condemned to failure from the start as McLaren were yet another team to take the wrong approach to what should have been an evolutionary winter.

Perez Disinterested In Backmarker Drive

Following his late and frankly harsh dismissal by McLaren, Sergio Perez will be one of a number of talented drivers without a job come next Monday. It is a travesty, yet Sergio may struggle to find a seat in Formula One at all, considering the awkward timing of McLaren's announcement. While a move to a midfield team could be a possibility, (with a return to Sauber being suggested), Sergio has stated that he would not be interested in joining one of the lower constructors for 2014.

Honda Consider McLaren Drivers

With McLaren reuniting with Honda for 2015, anticipation grows as fans hope to see a triumphant return to the glory days which the partnership enjoyed throughout the 1980's and 90's. It was an iconic period for the team, which brought dominant success with seven titles claimed in just eight years, as the likes of Senna, Prost and Lauda etched their way into McLaren folk-law. Honda have stated their ambitions, while they have not considered their preferred driver line-up for 2015 just yet.

Podiums Planned For McLaren

When the MP4-28 was unveiled back at the end of January, it seemed unthinkable that McLaren could face such a dreadful season. With just 65 points after eleven races, 2013 marks McLaren's worst season since 1980, as they currently sit a precarious P5 in the standings, with Force India only marginally behind. However, Martin Whitmarsh has stated his intentions and objectives for the team in the closing stages of the campaign and that is to score podiums. On recent form, that may not be out of the question.

Perez Needs To "Toughen Up"

Following a less than impressive start, Sergio Perez has now been criticized by his Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, who suggests that the Mexican needs to toughen up in order to succeed. The youngster has not been exuding confidence of late after a series of lackluster performances have seen him gather two solitary points with his new team. The "young diamond" has hardly experienced a glittering start to his McLaren career.

Sergio is certainly not exuding confidence at this current moment and has been significantly outperformed by teammate Jenson Button. While the Brit has the influential advantage of experience on his side, Perez will have hoped to be closer to Button at this early stage of the season.

Gillan Doubts McLaren Progress

Over the past few weeks, Martin Whitmarsh has been exceedingly positive in regards to McLaren's development of the lackluster MP4-28. However, former Williams Chief Engineer Mark Gillan, believes that McLaren will be unable to find a quick fix for their downforce issues.

McLaren Anticipate Progress

Despite a turbulent start to the new season, McLaren proved that the MP4-28 had potential in Sepang, as Jenson Button challenged the Mercedes before a pit-stop calamity put pay to his progress. Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh states that the team are striving for further development ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.