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The new McLaren MP4-23 presented in Stuttgart |
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Written by Richard Bowie
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Tuesday, 08 January 2008 |
The new McLaren car was presented in Stuttgart (Germany), informs the official site of the auto racing team of the Formula One series.
The representation of the new MP4-23 of the British-German "stable" took place on the next day after the main competitor of "McLaren" in the last season - the Italian "Ferrari" had presented its car F2008.
In comparison with its predecessor MP4-23 has a longer wheel base, the design of the nose cowl has been changed, the gear box has been completely updated and made of carbon fibres.
The presentation of the car coincided with the 23-rd birthday of the leading pilot of McLaren Lewis Hamilton, who in the last season almost became the first racer in the history of Formula One to win the debut season championship, but was defeated by Kimi Raikkonen from "Ferrari". The partner of the British racer in the present season will be Heikki Kovalainen instead of Fernando Alonso. The latter has returned to Renault.
"Today is Lewis's birthday, there are also lots of other concurrences. He has completed 23 years, the car has received its name MP4-23, and it will receive a 23-rd serial number," said the team principal of McLaren Ron Dennis, whose team has been deprived of all points in the offset of the Cup of designers 2007 because of "espionage scandal".
"We don't want to stir the past and we are going to move forward. We have undertaken enormous efforts that our new car is competitive," added Ron Dennis.
2008 Formula One season will open with the race in Melbourn on March, 16th.
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