McLaren unveil car for Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button may spend much of the forthcoming Formula One season battling for supremacy but today they presented a united front to unveil McLaren’s new car. The past two world champions will be on either side of the McLaren garage in the new season in what some commentators have termed an all-English “dream team. Others have speculated that the partnership could turn into a nightmare for Button as he tries to match Hamilton, his predecessor as world champion. However, as the pair unveiled the new MP4-25, in the full glare of the media spotlight they were all smiles. “I must say it looks pretty impressive,” Button said. “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 added: “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 woes of last year, he said: “I just hope it handles differently to last year.” To which Button jokingly added: “I hope so too.” It is the first pairing of two British champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark were at Lotus in 1968, and of two world champions since Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were at McLaren in 1989. Assessing his partnership with Button, 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 and concentrate on the future.” Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s team principal, added: “It was Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, who said preparation is the key to success. In keeping with that, we have prepared for this season more than ever before. This car is the basis of thousands of man hours. “But a car is nothing…

Read Article @ Times Online

Posted by admin 29 January 2010

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