McLaren to launch MP4-29 on January 24
7 January 2014 – McLaren will present its latest F1 car, the MP4-29, in an online-only digital launch on January 24.The outfit, which finished fifth in the 2013 Constructors' standings, is only the second team to confirm that it will be ready for the opening pre-season test at Jerez, taking place over four days from January 28-31.Mercedes announced earlier on Tuesday that its new W05 is to be unveiled on the morning of the first test.Lotus is the only other team to publicly mention its launch plans thus far; although a definitive date has not been set, the squad has revealed that it will skip the first of the three gatherings in order to optimise development time.
16 January 2014 – Ron Dennis has been re-appointed as CEO of the McLaren Group with immediate effect. The 66-year-old takes over from current Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, whose future at the team is uncertain.Dennis previously acted as CEO of the Group from 1982 to 2012 and was Team Principal of the marque's Formula 1 arm between the 1982 and 2009 campaigns before becoming Group Chairman in 2013.Whitmarsh inherited the role of CEO after Dennis stepped back from the front-line of the organisation, but last season the Woking-based outfit failed to record a single podium finish for the first time since 1980.It has not yet been confirmed how the change in management structure will affect Whitmarsh."My fellow shareholders have mandated me to write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren, beginning by improving our on-track and off-track performance," said Dennis after his expanded role was announced."Over the coming weeks I intend to undertake a thorough and objective review of each of our businesses with the intention of optimising every aspect of our existing operations, whilst identifying new areas of growth that capitalise on our technologies, and where appropriate further investing in them."During February, I will articulate a new Group strategy and implement the organisational structure best suited to achieving it. I am excited by the prospect of returning to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer and working with my many colleagues and fellow shareholders to fulfil our objective – which is to win at whatever we do."Dennis will remain Chairman of McLaren Automotive, the road car subsidiary of the brand.
12:24 – McLaren has passed the FIA's mandatory crash tests with its latest Formula 1 car, the MP4-29.Last week, various media outlets claimed that the Woking-based outfit had been struggling to prepare its new challenger for the opening pre-season test at the Circuito de Jerez, which takes place from January 28-31.When contacted by GPUpdate.net in the wake of the speculation, a McLaren spokesman admitted that the tests had not been passed, but played down concerns and insisted that the situation was under control.With the stringent tests now successfully completed, the squad can look forward to its online-only digital presentation this coming Friday, before travelling to southern Spain for the first gathering of the year.
14:53 – McLaren has made clear that it will not be announcing a new title sponsor when its 2014 Formula 1 car is unveiled later this week, following Vodafone's decision to cut its ties with the team at the end of last season.The Woking-based outfit enjoyed a strong partnership with the telecommunications giant from the 2007 campaign, and rumours have been building as to which brand will fill the sizeable gap moving forward.But speaking to Pitpass, Managing Director Jonathan Neale said: "We won't be announcing a new title partner when we launch our new MP4-29 on January 24th, but our roster of sponsors remains the envy of the pit lane."Neale added that, due to McLaren's large collection of partners, and its status as a private organisation, the team finds itself with the biggest operating budget of its history as the upcoming season draws closer."I'm pleased to say that McLaren Racing will have a larger operational budget available to it in 2014 than it's had in any previous season in McLaren's history," Neale went on to explain. "We're in good shape."Last week, Ron Dennis was reinstated as CEO of the McLaren Group, taking over from Martin Whitmarsh.
