Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button unveil new McLaren MP4-25 for 2010 Formula One season

Published: 12:05PM GMT 29 Jan 2010 Button started his official McLaren duties at the start of the year following his switch from Brawn GP, with whom he won the world title last season. The British duo will make Formula One history as it is the first time a team has started a new season featuring the two most recent winners of the world title, with Hamilton champion in 2008. It is also the first pairing of two British champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark were at Lotus in 1968, and the first pairing of two world champions in F1 since Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were at McLaren in 1989. Much has so far been made as to how the duo will fare together, in particular with Button now at a team where Hamilton has, in effect, resided for the last 12 years. But in pulling the wraps off the MP4-25, and with the duo in the full glare of the media spotlight at primary sponsor Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury, they were naturally all smiles. Button, asked for his first impressions of the car, said: “I must say it looks pretty impressive. “I can’t wait to take a step back and have a better look, but this team always puts a car together properly, meticulously. “We’ve seen all the numbers, been in the simulator, and it looks positive, but the real work begins on Monday in Valencia with the first test.” Hamilton said: “This is my fourth year at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and to see the car evolve, it is such a pleasure to see the final outcome. “It looks completely different, and I feel very proud because I’ve had some input into this car.” Reflecting on his early-season struggles last year, he added: “I just hope it handles differently to last year.” To which Button jokingly interjected: “I hope so too!” Assessing his partnership with Button, a sincere Hamilton added: “To be in the same team, it’s a really great partnership, a great team. “I really look forward to working with you this year and pushing this team forward. It should be special.” With the car possessing the number one on it in recognition of Button being world champion, the 30-year-old said: “It is very special. “But we now need to stop looking back at last year…

Read Article @ Daily Telegraph

Posted by admin 29 January 2010

Post A Comment