McLaren's new MP4-19 will be on track soon!

By Parminio
November 3 2003

This past season saw the MP4-17D carry the torch for the whole year as the MP4-18 was never figured out in time to make a track appearance.

This could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for McLaren. Developing the MP4-18 this season was, at best, a major problem for McLaren...as it not only took some attention away from the MP4-17, but resulted in so many problems and issues that the entire project was written off.

It's the first time in recent memory that McLaren have failed to enter a new car for a season. Even with all of that, it could turn out to play right into McLaren's hands.

The MP4-19, soon to hit the track, is supposed to be nothing more than the MP4-18 with the lessons learned. Reliablility is supposed to have been figured out, as the heating problems that plagued the 4-18 have been solved. Also, the electronics issues and structural integrity are supposed to have been fixed as well.

Given that...if the MP4-19 survives her maiden test, it puts McLaren in VERY good shape. We'll all know soon where we stand, but the MP4-19...even if just marginally faster than the MP4-17D, will put us in a possition for more polls, and race wins. With Kimi falling just 3 points shy of the Title this season, I'd be more than a bit worried if I were Ferrari and Williams.