Lots of Talk on Next Years Car is out...

By Parminio
October 7 2002

The new back end was rumoured to make it's appearance at the Indy race, but noone seemed to notice much. There is talk of it making an appearance at Japan...but we will have to wait and see.

The fact that McLaren has been braking track records all year long in testing is disturbing given the race and qualifying performance. It just seems too odd that McLaren can go so quick, only to wind up so slow. With a total overhaul of the car expected for 2003, it leaves one wondering what our chances actually are. Adrian Newey is already on the record as playing down McLaren's chances...and suggest that maybe we can compete for a few race wins next year. The team has already come clean on the fact that we are beginning next year with an updated version of the MP4-17, but one wonders just what those updates will be. With a new engine design in the works, it suggest that this years engine has seen it's last update. The new back end has not made it's appearance yet, and Martin Whitmarsh is on record as saying it is quite an improvement. The mystery is this: If these improvements can help us now, will they be useless on the 4-18? With a totally new chassis and engine, is McLaren going to be starting all over again come Imola of next year when the MP4-18 sails for the first time? Hopefully, we will find out more before the start of next season.