Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton unveiled McLaren’s latest challenger which they hope will power them to Formula One glory this season.
After finishing second and fifth respectively in last year’s title race, as Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel dominated in clinching back-to-back world titles, the Woking-based marque are determined for this to be their year.
The MP4-27, which bore a typical silver livery that has been the case for a few years now, will hit the track for the first time in Jerez on Tuesday, with Button at the wheel.
Button said: “It’s a very exciting day for us all. It’s the moment when we see how hard we’ve all been working.
“I want to say thanks to the guys who have been working flat out throughout the winter to develop this car.
“Testing is now very important. We’ve got to come out of the box and be strong.
“Testing is what it says on the tin, it’s about finding your feet, about gaining in confidence in the team you’re working with and the car you’re driving.”
After admiring the car for the first time, Hamilton said: “I think it looks fantastic. It’s great to be here after a great winter.
“The car is the most refined looking we’ve had for some time, so I’m excited to get back into it.”
Ahead of his sixth season with the team, Hamilton added: “It feels very much like only yesterday when I went up to (former team boss) Ron (Dennis) and said I wanted to race for his team.
“But we’ve been competing at the front all those years. We’ve strength in depth, a great foundation from which we work. This is a team that never gives up.”
Caterham were the first to launch last week, with their car sporting a ‘duck-billed platypus’ shaped nose, the result of the meeting between front suspension and chassis.
That has been based on new regulations that decree a higher nose, with many suspecting that would be the way forward, leading to it being described as ‘ugly’.
However, the new McLaren remained very much true to past cars, with a smooth transition across the chassis from cockpit to front wing.
Button said: “This is a beautiful car, which for me is important. Many you see will not be.”
Hamilton concurred, adding: “We’re coming in massively motivated, very fresh, and when you have a good-looking car, generally it’s a good car, so hopefully that is the case.”
Hamilton and Button represent a third of the six world champions that will be on the grid this season for the first time in the sport’s history.