Whitmarsh: Late launch is a balancing act
McLaren believe their decision to stage their 2011 launch after the season's first official test will not jeopardise their Championship hopes.
McLaren, who will again have former title winners Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button leading their assault, will lift the covers on the MP4-26 in Berlin on February 4, the day after the three-day test in Valencia finishes.
Team boss Martin Whitmarsh said the 2011 car will be on the track for the second official test at Jerez from February 10-13.
"We took that decision some time ago, and it hasn't split from that," said Whitmarsh.
"It's a balance because now we have very short winters and we are developing cars to very complex technical regulations.
"We have chosen to give our aerodynamicists and engineers an extra 10 days - which doesn't sound much but in Formula One terms that's a long period of time - to find more performance.
"So it was always our intention (to launch late), regardless of how people interpret it, and at the end of the day it doesn't matter.
"What matters is whether the car is quick enough to win races and the World Championship over the course of the season.
"So we will launch on February 4, but that car will look different by the time it gets to the test a few days later, and it will then evolve very quickly by the time it gets to the first race."
Whitmarsh tipped Red Bull, who won both the Drivers' and Constructors' titles in 2010, Ferrari and Mercedes, to be McLaren's main rivals once the new season starts in Bahrain on March 13.
"We intend to be strong this year, I think Ferrari will be, as I'm sure Red Bull will be, and I'm sure Mercedes will come back much stronger this year than they were last," said Whitmarsh.
"But that's the nice thing, you never know. In this sport we're working extra hard to be ultra competitive, we think we're doing a good job, but there may be a eureka moment from one of the teams that we've all missed."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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