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Some eagle-eyed readers may have noticeed that McLaren’s preview post, this very entry you’re reading, is out of sync with the previous. The previews were published in the reverse order of their constructor’s finishing place in 2007, which would mean McLaren should have been dealt with a long time ago. But as the Woking squad looked good, up until the Belgian Grand Prix at any rate, to finish in either first or second, I’ve chosen to post their entry as the penultimate in the series. And as the McLaren MP4-23 looks good to challenge for the 2008 title, it only seems right that they should be surrounded by the other top teams. So here, perhaps slightly late, is how I think McLaren’s title campaign is going to go this year. Continue Reading

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Since McLaren launched the new MP4-23 yesterday in Stuttgart, a lot has been spoken about the way the team will behave in the upcoming 2008 world championship. Not only did the squad answer questions about the distractions of the Stepneygate saga, but also about how Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will be treated during the season. In 2007, Fernando Alonso felt that McLaren favoured Hamilton, and the Spaniard made his thoughts very public. However, he did retract his words towards the end of the year, perhaps feeling safe in the knowledge that he had made the decision to leave. But of course, the mere hint of favouritism caught the media’s attention and now the Woking team are defending their policies yet again. Continue Reading

Below are some more photographs from the launch of the new McLaren MP4-23 that will campaign for the 2008 world titles. The quality of the images isn’t great (maybe they were taken by one of those mobile phones they all seem to be holding?) but it does show the car from a couple of different angles. Interestingly, both Ferrari and McLaren seem cagey about showing the rear end of their cars, with both launches limiting photos to top, front and side. Never the less, the cars will be taking to the circuits soon so I’m sure some new images won’t take too long to filter around the web. For now though, I’ll let you play the game, Why is Bernie at the McLaren launch? Continue Reading

McLaren unveiled their 2008 challenger today at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart. The MP4-23 was revealed to the waiting press and photos were distributed of the new model. The cars will be numbered 22 and 23 following the teams exclusion from the 2007 championship after it was found they had beached the rules. But the 14th car to be powered by Mercedes is good to go following the end of the saga last year and the team are buoyant about their chances of winning the title in 2008. Continue Reading

It’s one of those questions that occasionally refuses to be answered. It is subjective and unquantifiable. But in comparison to his team mate last season, one could presume Heikki Kovalainen is actually quite fast. Fast enough to beat Lewis Hamilton? Why not, after all, I don’t believe we’ve really seen the best of Kovalainen yet. To follow in the steps of Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen will be hard, being partnered to Hamilton will be harder still. But driving a McLaren competitively at the very sharp end of the grid? I guess the young Finn will either sink, or swim. Continue Reading

Even though Fernando Alonso has now officially announced his allegiance to Renault for the 2008 season, the driver market is still not complete with some teams yet to decide on their pilots. Force India are still mulling over their drivers trying to decide between Giancarlo Fisichella, Christian Klien, Franck Montagny and the plethora of test drivers they have on their books. Toyota are still to absolutely confirm Jarno Trulli for the seat alongside Timo Glock, and McLaren are hesitating while they choose from Heikki Kovalainen, Pedro De La Rosa or Gary Paffett. And of course, each team could still throw a spanner in the works and sign another young charger not yet mentioned. Continue Reading

Rumours have kicked into overdrive today following the revelation that Flavio Briatore suggested on Italian radio that the team will have a new driver line up for next season. Briatore said there would be “different drivers” and also that Fernando Alonso could be confirmed within the next 48 hours. Saying that there was a 60% chance the Spaniard would be with the Anglo-French squad, and with the suggestion of new drivers means that Nelson Piquet Jr looks set for the second seat. Continue Reading

Michael Schumacher was absent from the Ferrari F2007 today as Felipe Massa and Luca Badoer took over the testing duties at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Perhaps it was this that lead to Ferrari having their dominance broken, Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen topping the timing sheets on the third and final day of the test. Felipe Massa came in second and almost 0.5s adrift of the Renault and 0.3s clear of Franck Montagny, who drove the Toyota for the last time today. Ferrari test driver Badoer lapped the circuit in 1m21.741s and was placed sixth at the end of the proceedings, having been beaten by an impressive lap from Sebastian Vettel in the Toro Rosso and David Coulthard in the Red Bull. Continue Reading

Before I begin, just a short note to say that if things look a bit lop-sided at the moment, it is likely because I have moved BlogF1 over to a new server with a new hosting company, Media Temple. I’ll try my best to make sure everything works, but it is a case of learning as I go!

Anyway, on with the post: Who should drive the second McLaren next year? Continue Reading