McLaren MP/4-29 launch

[prisonermonkeys]

We've already seen the Force India VJM07 and the Williams FW36, but McLaren will be the first team to show of their 2014 car in the flesh, with the launch of the MP/4-29 later today. In a break with recent tradition, the team will be opting for an online launch instead of the show-and-tell at their headquarters, probably because of the extra time needed to prepare and the start of testing next week.

What we do know is that the car has passed all of its crash tests, despite rumours and speculation suggesting that the team would be forced to skip the Jerez test after failing its mandatory crash tests (personally, I think this was nothing more than an alarmist headline). The team will not have a title sponsor, at least not for the launch, but they have been keen to point out all of their ongoing partnerships with other sponsors, and claim they have a greater operating budget than they did in 2013 (I say "claim" not because I am sceptical, but because when it comes to Formula 1 finances, it is impossible to independently verify anything).

Also coming fresh off the rumour mill is the suggestion that today's launch will be accompanied by the announcement that Sam Michael will replace Martin Whitmarsh as team principal. Again, I cannot verify this, and am somewhat sceptical as Whitmarsh has been a soft target for criticism in the past.

 

[BHRxRacer]

Link and time of launch please (A)

 

[prisonermonkeys]

No idea. It's an online launch, so they're probably just going to release pictures to the media.

But if you really want to know, would it kill you to go and find it yourself?

 

[BHRxRacer]

Yes.

I tried anyway. I was thinking it's some sort of live stream and the time was announced/rumored somewhere I can't find. Figured you nerds would know since you always try to bully me for links in F1 discussions. I really don't spend much time finding sources etc.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If that's how you're going to try and convince me to find a link, you're doing a really poor job of it.

 

[BHRxRacer]

I wasn't trying, I know you're a hard man to impress

Hopefully they just release a bunch of pictures and call it a day.

 

[dhandeh]

This started well.

Any chance of keeping your cyber feud private and keeping this on topic. No one else is interested.

 

[FahrerGott]

Just checked McLaren and KevMags twitter. Looks like it will be revealed at 12PM UK time. So exactly 4 1/2 hours from now.

Also. wtf

 

[Azure Flare]

1:32 AM for me.

LOL timezones.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Works out for me! I was thinking it would all happen before I get out of work tonight.

This is the launch I've been most excited for. McLaren's cars are often one of the most interesting, design-wise, and ever since they said there would be some radical ideas (not those exact words) in their car I've been very curious. In also interested to see how a top team takes on the new nose regulations.

 

[Tom]

Just checked McLaren and KevMags twitter. Looks like it will be revealed at 12PM UK time. So exactly 4 1/2 hours from now.

I can confirm this, I will be writing an article on the release immediately!

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Disregard this post.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Also. wtf

That was the 1997 launch, when sponsors were footing the bill for launch parties and the teams apparently took this as an opportunity to see just how far they could push the envelope.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Where has the Ross Brawn talk gone away to? Not sure what to expect from this launch really, as long as they haven't decided to evolve the MP4-28!!!

EDIT: Eric Boullier has left Lotus and is expected to be the new McLaren team principal.

 

[Wardez]

Wait, so an hour and 20 minutes from now?

The countdown clock on the site says it's in like 9 hours, but states the time at 12:00, noon, GMT. Make-a-no-sense.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

EDIT: Eric Boullier has left Lotus and is expected to be the new McLaren team principal.

I did not see that coming. He is a much better choice than Sam Michael, and he did a great job of building Renault/Lotus back up after the disaster that was Flavio Briatore.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

I did not see that coming. He is a much better choice than Sam Michael, and he did a great job of building Renault/Lotus back up after the disaster that was Flavio Briatore.

I was worried when Sam Michael overtook Brawn as favourite, but I think Boullier is an even better choice than Brawn as well. Brawn has never truly had to rebuild like Boullier has, and you would start to question the relative hunger once you have achieved what Brawn has in his years and what Boullier is still chasing.

 

[Wardez]

Wish Paddy was still around, he'd be an excellent TP.

 

[Tom]

I did not see that coming. He is a much better choice than Sam Michael, and he did a great job of building Renault/Lotus back up after the disaster that was Flavio Briatore.

I've got to agree and with the rumours dying down that Ross Brawn would take over, Boullier would be a very sensible option indeed.

T-minus 20 minutes until the launch and my article is written up, with a few changes to be made upon the reveal. I feel like a minor at Christmas!

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

No launch just photo's being uploaded to their website, best way to find them I suspect is https://twitter.com/McLarenF1

 

[Tom]

Here it is then!

 

[PeterJB]

It has a lop-sided urethra.

 

[SilverArrow]

Over-head.

 

[FahrerGott]

How are you getting these? Sites not working for me

EDIT: twitter I see

 

[axletramp]

 

[Tom]

Another overhead.

Front-facing.

 

[SilverArrow]

Can someone do the Lotus thread?

 

[Wardez]

Really interesting front section, can't wait to see how effective it is. Really hoping McLaren doesn't repeat '13.

 

[sems4arsenal]

My eyes they hurt, not liking the Livery Change either.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Can someone do the Lotus thread?

It's something of a rule that we do not create threads for car launches until about a day or two in advance. Since the E22 will not get launched until the Bahrain test, it will be a while.