McLaren in no rush to give new car race debut

MCLAREN will launch their new MP4-18 at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France tomorrow but they have already admitted it will not be given its race debut at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The British team lost their place at the head of the constructors’ standings after Italian rivals Ferrari finished first and third at the Austrian Grand Prix here Sunday to leapfrog them by one point. McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen ensured he retained the drivers’ championship lead, with a two-point advantage, by splitting the two Ferraris to finish second at the A1-Ring.

But McLaren team principal Ron Dennis admitted: “The whole team is looking forward to the first run of the MP4-18 next week.”