McLaren MP4/18 launch pictures

Hey hey,

No, no launch pictures yet. hehe fooled you guys, right? :finger:

Anyway, after all the launch discussion lately here's a short update on what's going on at McLaren. They are going to run an "interim" MP4/17D which is nearly 90% new compared to the 2002 MP4/17. Only the monocoque is identical. All that effort for just a couple of races. Well they announced that the new 2003 contender will be used from the European races onwards. Because they're working on some revolutionary stuff on the car an they want to make sure that it all works properely before racing it.
This said, it might be the only right move to tackle the season succefully with all the changing regulations going on. It'll give them enough time to adapt new components to a new car, rather then adapting an existing car to the new regulations.

Interested to see how it'll all turn out.

You bastard! :devil: j/k

As I've expressed a few times before, I feel Macs will have something interesting up their sleeve. Not sure if it'll work as they are planning it to work, but with Newey you can be sure he's trying. The question is whether the new electronics regulations coming into force from Silverstone will cripple the 18.

Though I hope it's not getting overhyped and I also hope it's not too good :p

FORZA FERRARI! :devi: <-- how appropriate - a red devil! :p

I have the most respect for Newey's talents, MP/4's have always had great mechanical grip and control over bumps, electronics or not.:)

I think you might be right Alex. McLaren have something up their sleeves in the electronics department, hence the moves by Max and Co to get rid of them before anything can upset their red applecart.

Well, considering that RD now welcomed the changes, I thing you're wrong :P Isn't banning electronic aids what most fans wanted? Isn't that what you wanted? Had this been directed against Macs I would have expected RD to make a huge scene of it (and he only made a mall scene, so I guess it's not anti-Mac :)). If anything, it's anti-Ferrari, as their electronics are at least not worse than those of any other team, and anti-Williams - those guys seem to have very good qualifying cars and they won't be able to transform them back into race trim under the new regulations.

I don't think Ron is entirely in agreement with Max at all!

I'm neither for against driver aids I am simply amazed that the FIA could be so stupid (or on some hidden agenda) to introduce them mid-season 2001 and now want to remove them mid-season two years later. How long does it take Max to get dressed in the morning if he can't make a decision and stick to it!

Either allow the teams free reign or go back to using cables to control the throttle and brakes. All this grey area does is allow the little Nazi to have his time in the spotlight.

If you're waiting for any objections on my part - don't. I don't like the FIA, I don't like their policy, I don't like the way they restricted the engineers (e.g. the exclusive use of the V10 configuration), I don't like what they do to tracks (they are modifying the 130R and they totally butchered Hockenheim), I don't like what they did to cars either.

I don't like the FIA, I don't like their policy, I don't like the way they restricted the engineers (e.g. the exclusive use of the V10 configuration), I don't like what they do to tracks (they are modifying the 130R and they totally butchered Hockenheim), I don't like what they did to cars either.

A man after my own heart!:ylsuper