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Norbert Haug, vice-president of Mercedes Motorsport, confirmed to the German press agency SID that the McLaren MP4/18 will not take part in the next three races in the championship, which are the British GP, the German GP and the Hungarian GP. It could start in Italy in mid-September but nothing is certain for now.
The reason for this new delay is the mediocre reliability of the MP4/18 and the fact that there is no more testing until the beginning of September. However, Norbert Haug is still confident that this car will be entered in a Grand Prix this year.
"Because of the summer testing ban, we will not be able to use the MP4/18 for the next three weeks," declared Norbert Haug. "the development of this new car is a complex job. The chances of having this car in a race this year are good but whatever happens, the MP4/18 will be a good basis for next year's car."
There is only one more private testing session before the Italian GP. If the MP4/18 is reliable on that occasion, it could take part in the Italian race. If it is not the case, there will be only two races left in 2003 (Indianapolis and Japan) and the chances of using a new car so late in the season are slim.
No matter what will happen, Norbert Haug doesn't think that the MP4/18 project was a failure even if the MP4/19 is scheduled to begin the 2004 season : "It doesn't matter if our next car is called MP4/18 or 19. We didn't waste any money because it is not a failure, it is a long term project. We will get the benefits one day. There are no worries or panic here. Our MP4/17D still has the potential to win races."
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All I have to say is #$@%@$!$!#@$@$@!!!!
What the hell?! Arg. They might as well call the MP4/18 the MP4/19... This is unbelievable! 2 races if not any?! AHH! I'm so pissed off I can't think of anything to say! I was hoping that the MP4/18 was the answer for Mclaren. If it lived up to what it was supose to be, it should of been better if not on par with Ferrari.
At least we now know for sure there is going to be a MP4/19. I have a feeling they aren't going to debute the MP4/18 at all. That way the MP4/19 will seem a lot more advanced. Duno.
The reason for this new delay is the mediocre reliability of the MP4/18 and the fact that there is no more testing until the beginning of September. However, Norbert Haug is still confident that this car will be entered in a Grand Prix this year.
"Because of the summer testing ban, we will not be able to use the MP4/18 for the next three weeks," declared Norbert Haug. "the development of this new car is a complex job. The chances of having this car in a race this year are good but whatever happens, the MP4/18 will be a good basis for next year's car."
There is only one more private testing session before the Italian GP. If the MP4/18 is reliable on that occasion, it could take part in the Italian race. If it is not the case, there will be only two races left in 2003 (Indianapolis and Japan) and the chances of using a new car so late in the season are slim.
No matter what will happen, Norbert Haug doesn't think that the MP4/18 project was a failure even if the MP4/19 is scheduled to begin the 2004 season : "It doesn't matter if our next car is called MP4/18 or 19. We didn't waste any money because it is not a failure, it is a long term project. We will get the benefits one day. There are no worries or panic here. Our MP4/17D still has the potential to win races."
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All I have to say is #$@%@$!$!#@$@$@!!!!
What the hell?! Arg. They might as well call the MP4/18 the MP4/19... This is unbelievable! 2 races if not any?! AHH! I'm so pissed off I can't think of anything to say! I was hoping that the MP4/18 was the answer for Mclaren. If it lived up to what it was supose to be, it should of been better if not on par with Ferrari.
At least we now know for sure there is going to be a MP4/19. I have a feeling they aren't going to debute the MP4/18 at all. That way the MP4/19 will seem a lot more advanced. Duno.
