Mighty Mac On Track For Comeback: 2015 MP4-30

   
McLaren officially introduced the new car that Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will race in 2015, the Honda-powered MP4-30.



The new car will be wearing a revised red, black and silver colour scheme to the big dance this year, and is a ‘thoroughly refined evolution’ of their 2014 car with some ‘exciting new technical DNA’, say sources in at the top secret McLaren facility in Woking, just off the M5, between Farminghamptoncastershire and Camberhamptonderryavon.





There was extensive development to the MP4-30 over the winter, with McLaren saying that their engineering department – energized by the arrival of renowned aerodynamicist Peter Prodromou of Red Bull fame last September – were inspired to embark on a number of changes of direction.



These “new directions” (just say that to yourself out loud) are comprised of a solid base package which will offer up a number of new development paths for their engineers, aerodynamicists and drivers to pursue during the season.





The MP4-30’s makeover includes a refined nose-box section (to comply with new regulations on nose height and shape), slim rear-end packaging (particularly around the gearbox) and tightly contoured bodywork under which Honda’s brand-new RA615H Hybrid power unit is installed. Yes. It does sound sexy.



Despite their partnership with Honda is still being admittedly ‘a work in progress’, McLaren are confident that the Japanese manufacturer, with whom they won eight world titles and 44 Grands Prix between 1988 and 1992, has ‘the know-how, expertise and the muscle’ to make rapid progress and keep pushing development all season long.



Ron Dennis, the McLaren Group’s chairman and CEO, commented on McLaren’s first Honda powered car in 23 years, saying: “Although our renewed alliance (with Honda) began again many months ago, the launch of the McLaren-Honda MP4-30 marks the start of a lengthy journey.



“We’ve come a long way already and, although there’s a lot of work to do before we can expect to repeat the level of success we enjoyed together 25-or-so years ago, it’s already clear that there’s enormous synergy and potential in our partnership, and I’m positive that, together, we’ll get to where we want to be: winning Grands Prix and eventually World Championships as McLaren-Honda.”



Yasuhisa Arai, Honda’s senior managing officer, on the reformed partnership:



“As you can see with the new MP4-30, we’ve dedicated ourselves as one team with McLaren to creating a new car that compromises on nothing - either power or aerodynamics.



“Yet, in the midst of the excitement, both myself and our engineers are 100 per cent focused in both Sakura and Milton Keynes to prepare for Jerez and beyond. We’re confident that the technology is there, and I’m looking forward to see how it will perform.



“We’re about to commence a long season, with numerous challenges, but Honda is determined to face them head-on. After all, we’re here to drive Formula One’s technology forward and give our fans a thrilling ride.”



Drivers Fernando Alonso and Jensen Button are realistic over development of McLaren MP4-30
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Both Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have, of course, expressed excitement about getting behind the wheel of McLaren’s newly unveiled MP4-30, though both are acutely aware that developing the Honda-powered machine will take a while.



Alonso, shockingly back on board with McLaren after leaving Ferrari, said that he’s prepared for possible (Probable (Almost Certain)) teething problems upon getting pre-season testing underway in Spain.



McLaren have only ever run Honda’s brand-new RA615H Hybrid power unit once previously, in an interim car during a disrupted test at Abu Dhabi last November.



“Of course, we’re prepared for a steep learning curve, but it’s clear to see that inside McLaren-Honda there’s total commitment, and a real change in feeling, as we start this new partnership,” explained Alonso.



“Our first target will be to learn the maximum from the car at the pre-season tests, understand the package, and extract as much performance as possible. That won’t be easy or trouble-free, but we’re ready for that. Why? Because our key focus will be on development.



“Historically, McLaren has already been characterised by its ability to bring updates to the car quickly, and develop a strong package.”



Despite the hard work that lies ahead, Alonso emphasized that his motivation for the new season ‘could not be stronger’, a sentiment shared by new team mate Jensen Button.



“I’ve trained hard over the winter, and I’m absolutely itching to get going in the new McLaren-Honda MP4-30,” said 2009 world champion Button, who will take the helm from Alonso on day two at Jerez.



“It’s been interesting to spend time in the factory during the past few weeks: you can really sense a feeling of reignited optimism and positivity around the building.



I’ve never seen such motivation amongst the guys - we’re all massively keen to get going in Jerez and to work hard on developing our new car. But we’re under no illusion that it will be easy - there’s a huge challenge ahead of us to try to pull back the gap to our rivals, but we’re certainly up for it.”



“We ended last season with great momentum and clear progress, and I’m determined to carry that forward into 2015.”