McLaren believe they have made the right decision to start next season with a modified version of this year's car.
David Coulthard is unlikely to get his hands on the MP4-18 car until the fourth round of the 2003 season when Formula One returns to Europe for the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. But McLaren insist the old Mercedes-powered car will be significantly different to the MP4-17 which won just one race last season as rivals Ferrari dominated the campaign.
“We are certainly not taking this year's car and engine to next year's Australia Grand Prix,” said Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren's managing director. “The MP4-17 package has already undergone considerable change from the start of this year to the end, but we felt there is still a lot more we can exploit from it. The monocoque will be the only carry-over from the 2002 season with substantial changes to all areas beneath the skin. We feel that this is the best long-term strategy for us to be able to reclaim the drivers' and constructors' championship.”
Filed by James Boylan.
