McLAREN launched their new MP4-23 car yesterday - on Lewis Hamilton's 23rd birthday.
"It is Lewis' birthday today, we've gone to a lot of trouble... He is 23, it is the MP4-23 and he will carry (number) 23 on the car, but that is more by accident than judgment I must say," said team principal Ron Dennis.
While some of the changes on the car required by the banning of traction control, what remains to be seen is how much the new McLaren has been impeded by the investigation of its design process in recent months for traces of Ferrari intellectual property.
McLaren reportedly agreed to restrict development on certain aspects of the car as part of its bargain with the FIA, the sport's governing body, to bring the Ferrari-McLaren scandal to a close.
One analyst said he believed Ferrari should have an advantage with this as they develop a good car without any external interference.
"My worry is that McLaren may have gone for a conservative car and in Formula One 'conservative' always means slow," he said.
But team boss Dennis is now looking forward to challenging for the drivers' title, which McLaren missed out on by one point last season.
"The ultimate goal of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team is to fight for both the drivers' and constructors' World Championships. We are looking forward to another competitive season as we look to build on the momentum of last year," he said. - Wire Services.
