THE MP4-27

Welcome to McLaren’s first briefing of 2012. Throughout 2011 we brought you news on our Automotive business – from the launch of our ground-breaking 12C and our new global retailer network, to the story behind the 12C’s racing sibling, the 12C GT3. In our latest briefing, we switch our attention to the side of the business where the McLaren story started: racing. This briefing takes a look at the launch of our new 2012 Formula 1 car, the MP4-27, the drivers, and the exciting season ahead.

The winter has been anything but quiet for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team based within the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK. The preparations for 2012 started almost the instant the chequered flag fell at the last race in Brazil last November and the launch saw the result of months of intense work presented with the unveiling of MP4-27.
 

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has set out its stall ahead of the 2012 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. We are a team that is about innovating to win and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and our plans for 2012 certainly uphold that philosophy. The expansion of our championship-winning engineering team and a subtle, yet deep-reaching technical update of our car underpin the ambition that exists within the walls of McLaren.

01 EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN; REVOLUTIONARY SYSTEMS

While the all-new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-27 is clearly the design sibling of last year’s multiple race-winning car, the 2012 chassis has been substantially revised from the ground-up, with all major systems updated or re-designed for the new season.
 

Put the two cars side by side and the most evident visual differences include more tightly waisted rear bodywork, developed to improve the flow of air to the rear of the car, and a revised cooling system, which re-directs the gearbox oil-cooler.
 

02 A WINNING COMBINATION

Our double world-champion driver line-up brings a blend of experience, speed and aggression, arguably the most important traits of any successful Formula 1 driver. And today, we are the only team in Formula 1 whose driver line-up consists of two world champions: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Between them, they have scored 22 grand prix victories for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and are the strongest and most consistent driver line-up in the sport.
 

After a winter of reflection and input into the development of the new car, both drivers are eager to see what this season will bring. Commenting on the outlook for 2012, Jenson said: “I know that the whole team is extremely proud of the MP4-27. It may look like a direct evolution of last year’s car, but we’ve analysed every area of performance over the winter and the whole car has benefited from lots of fresh thinking and new ideas in every area. I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel in Spain next week. I genuinely believe we have every reason to feel optimistic about the progress we’ve made and our competitiveness this year.”
 

Lewis was quick to confirm this; “I’ve been keenly following the development of MP4-27 over the winter and I’ve been really encouraged by the results and the data that the engineers have been showing me. Jenson and I won six races with MP4-26 last year and I think we’ve been able to retain all the strengths and the reliability of that design while also incorporating lots of improvements and new ideas into the new car. I get the feeling the MP4-27 is going to feel very new and exciting when we get to drive it for the first time.”
 

03 OFF-TRACK: THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM IN FORMULA 1

Away from the track, the team continues to develop. Last year Vodafone McLaren Mercedes became the world’s first carbon-neutral Formula 1 team, efficiently managing its carbon footprint and purchasing carbon credits to completely offset its emissions. It’s all part of our commitment to pushing the edge of what is possible.