While McLaren's next car is not expected to use any Ferrari technology, it will take after Ferrari in one way: the scarlet marque is launching is F1 challenger on January 6, 2008, and McLaren will do so the day after, on January 7. The move is a bit of a surprise, since McLaren said that it wouldn't be hosting a public launch of the car at all, hoping to diminish the scrutiny from nearly an entire season mired in scandal.
The now-very-public launch of the MP4-23 will take place at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart, and will be attended by head honchos all the way up to Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche. The event will be lacking, of course, a certain former World Champion and the Spanish sponsors he took with him back to Renault. In Alonso's stead will be Heikki Kovalainen, a lot of hope, and, if we know Ron Dennis, a commitment to regaining the number one status -- this time the right way.
[Source: World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tpp @ Dec 28th 2007 2:15PM
"How do you say "Number Two driver" in Finnish?"
I think I can help with that, being that I am indeed Finnish.
It's "Lewis Hamilton"
:)
Jonathon Ramsey @ Dec 28th 2007 6:07PM
TPP ftw.
Franz @ Dec 28th 2007 2:24PM
Can hardly wait till the racing starts. I love F1.
Travis Rassat @ Dec 28th 2007 5:45PM
Me too - the launches will be a nice way to pass the time, but the Australian Grand Prix can't come soon enough!
Level @ Dec 28th 2007 2:29PM
is there really that much money to be made in F1?
You would think, what was 100 million penalty it would close doors to a shop but its appearant it wasnt a big hit to their pockets...
Tom Winch @ Dec 29th 2007 3:31AM
There's more money in F1 than any other motorsport in the world. $200 million will just get your foot in the door. And Renault just made Alonso the highest paid driver in the world with a contract worth over $50 million.
The Doctor @ Dec 28th 2007 2:29PM
Best bit about Alonso pushing off? No more stupid Santander adverts on TV and the Underground...
Richard @ Dec 28th 2007 2:52PM
You know, if McLaren were to launch the day BEFORE the Scuderia, they could say that Ferrari copied them!
Franz @ Dec 28th 2007 3:11PM
lol. Good one!