The spotlight has been on McLaren this morning, after Lotus announced team
boss Eric Boullier is to leave the team, prompting speculation that he is to
take over from Martin Whitmarsh at the Woking-based team, after Ron Dennis
regained control of the Formula One operation.
The McLaren MP4-29 from above PHOTO: McLaren F1
McLaren said they will not be making any announcements on the identity of the
team principal today, but Dennis promised last week to employees that “there
will be change” and “we will win again”.
Commenting on the MP4-29, Jenson Button, said: “It has a massively
different feel. With the new rules the car has less downforce but that’s not
the problem. The power unit is very different, in the way that it delivers
its power and how it charges it. It’s very, very complicated for us all,
even for the engine people.
PHOTO: McLaren F1
“The winter (testing) is going to be all about reliability, and we’ll be
working non-stop to get the power unit reliable for the first race.
“I’m not sure how the racing is going to be. The power unit will be different
between qualifying and the race; you’ll use maximum power all the time in
quallie, but you’ll only use it in the race when you’re fighting for
position.
“There’s going to be a lot of power management and fuel management.”
Button said despite the “funny bit at the front” of the car, he
thought the 2014 is “beautiful”.
The 2009 world champion went on: “Button said every team was in a similar
position in having to deal with such large number of new elements.
“I think every single person in Formula 1 is sitting on the edge of the
unknown. That’s both exciting and unsettling in equal measure.”
“There will be lots of things going through my mind when I settle myself into
the cockpit for the first time in Jerez next week.
“But, above all else, what I’ll be looking for is that simple, positive
feeling you get from knowing that the car beneath you is a solid platform;
one you can work with, and one you can develop throughout the season.”
The launch of the MP4-29 comes after McLaren suffered one of their worst
seasons in their history in 2013, failing to finish on the podium for the
first time since 1980.
Mexican Sergio Perez was replaced after just one season and the team, and has
been placed by Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, whose father Jan Magnussen
also drove for the team.
Current team principal Martin Whitmarsh was not involved in the launch, and it
is believed there will be further announcements on the leadership of the
team next month.
In an apparent swipe at McLaren after the news this morning, Lotus
subsequently revealed their E22 for 2014 at the same time as the McLaren
launch online, in which appeared to be an attempt to hijack the launch.
Lotus announced Boullier’s departure with immediate effect this morning, with
owner Gerard Lopez taking over as team principal for 2014 in a move which
will send shockwaves across the paddock.
The Enstone-based team then tweeted a picture of their E22, which appears to
feature two “tusks” at the front of the car.
McLaren sporting director Sam Michael said: “We’ve made no secret of our
disappointment at how the 2013 season turned out.
“The aim now is to get back to winning – that’s what McLaren exists to do –
but there’s a certain amount of growth and regrowth that needs to take place
before we return to a position where we can challenge for the world
championship.
“The good thing is that we’ve acknowledged that, and we’ve actually been
working towards that goal for many months now.