Given the confines of the atrium, the decibel levels rose on each of the six
occasions one sauntered to its parking spot, with two amongst them Ayrton
Senna’s dominant car from 1988 and the model from 20 years later in which
Lewis Hamilton won his title.
Shortly after they were followed by the 2013 drivers. Jenson Button arrived in
one of McLaren’s new sports prototype supercars, and new team-mate Sergio
Perez in a McLaren Spyder.
Sadly, there was no such run-out for the MP4-28 as that instead was
traditionally unveiled, with a white satin sheet rolled off the new design
by Button and Perez.
On the surface, as Button remarked, it may not look too far removed to last
year, but as the 33-year-old said: “Under the skin it is so so
different.”
He added: “We know the regulations haven’t changed much since 2012, but
they have changed enough to make a differen
“We know how much hard work has gone into this, and we will be fighting
for it (the title).
“Tuesday (the opening day of the first test in Jerez) is a big day when I
first get to drive the car, and whether it is good enough to win we will
have to wait and see.
“But it’s been fun seeing the car being built, and then seeing it all
come together late last night.”
Given McLaren’s anniversary year, Button added: “We all feel the history
of what has been achieved.
“That’s really exciting for all of us as we look to achieve more.”
Perez, signed to replace Hamilton who has moved to Mercedes, is unafraid to
spell out his desires for this season.
“It’s been a crazy couple of months since my last race,” said the
former Sauber driver.
“I can’t believe I’m part of this great team and family, and I’m very
motivated to do well.
“As for my goal, I want to win the championship. When you come to this
team it’s what you have to aim for.”
For team principal Martin Whitmarsh, they key this season will be to draw on
some lessons they learned from Ferrari last year.
“Since 1966 we have won 182 races – more races than any other team – and
20 world championships, but recently we’ve not won nearly enough,” said
Whitmarsh.
“Last year we started and ended with the fastest car, and at various
phases it was always competitive.
“But we cannot be satisfied with just winning races, we have to win
championships.
“With this car there are quite a lot of changes to the car from last
year’s, it’s quite an evolution, and already quicker than last year’s car
according to our simulations.
“Last year Ferrari maximised the product they had. We’ve worked hard on
that this winter, and it’s something we aim to put right.”
There was one person, however, notable by his absence in technical director
Paddy Lowe, who has been been strongly linked with a move to Mercedes.
With a year remaining on his contract, Lowe will be with McLaren for the
forthcoming campaign, but for 2014 Whitmarsh could not say.
“Paddy will be part of the team for another year, but less certain is
beyond that, and something I’m sure we’ll have some certainty on in the near
future,” added Whitmarsh.
Asked as to his absence, Whitmarsh replied: “There is a lot of media
interest.
“So it’s important he carries on doing his job, and not to cause any
embarrassment to his colleagues, by his own election he decided not to be
here.”