McLaren reveal their 2008 F1 car: the MP4/23 (updated)
McLaren have revealed their 2008 Formula 1 challenger in Stuttgart. The team continues its partnership with Mercedes for a 14th consecutive season. The pair have won two drivers’ and one constructors’ title in that time.
With 2008 marking ten years since the team did the double, they will be desperate to bounce back from an acrimonious and bitter 2007 to put some championship silverware on the mantelpiece for the first time since 1999.
See below for more pictures of the 2008 McLaren and video from the launch.
As the team officially finished last in the 2007 world championship their cars will carry the unusually high numbers of 22 and 23. Coincidentally, the 2008 car’s model designation is MP4/23.
The designation ’23′ holds further resonance for the team. The McLaren M23 of the pre-Ron Dennis years appeared in 80 Grands Prix from 1974-8; a total of 177 individual car appearances.
It won 16 races, taking Emerson Fittipaldi to the drivers’ title in 1974 and James Hunt in 1976. The M23 was the last title-winning car produced under the direction of Teddy Mayer before Ron Dennis took over the team in 1980.
Will the MP4/23 enjoy the same success and make a champion out of Lewis Hamilton or Heikki Kovalainen? Coincidentally, Hamilton is 23 today, and he will be given the number 23 car to drive.
Pictures from the 2008 McLaren launch
Here are the first pictures of the new car (click to enlarge):
2008 McLaren-Mercedes MP4/23 (same as top image, high resolution)
Video from the 2008 McLaren launch
Photos: Daimler / McLaren
More about the 2008 F1 season
Sri said on 8th January 2008, 10:08
Quote: “Lewis gets the number 23 MP4/23 on his 23rd birthday. Woah!”
LOL… You summed it up mate!
Steve said on 8th January 2008, 12:27
From the depths of their underground lair, looks like they are going to war, or are they launching Thunderbird 1? Cannot work it out, but looking at the pictures are they expecting James Bond or even better, Austin Powers to save the day?
I’m sure Bloefeld or Dr Evil are in there somewhere stroking their furry cats.
Mike said on 10th January 2008, 15:47
sorry about this but it made me laugh!!!
the second image down from the right looks just like everyone putting fingers upto each other! :D hahaha
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 10th January 2008, 17:15
Yeah it’s that cheesy ‘phone thing again isn’t it? I bet they love having to do those…
Vertigo said on 17th January 2008, 19:10
That phone picture is brilliant. How come the other teams don’t do this i.e. the Toyota drivers pointing Panasonic tellies at each other, BMW drivers holding Intel computers, Renault drivers fighting against two rampaging orange ING lions.
Also, middle picture, second row – what are they all looking at?
Vertigo said on 17th January 2008, 19:13
Just watched that Reuters video – that man doing the talking is a) a moron and b) a man who, by the sound of it, knows absolutely nothing about F1!