MP4-12C Coupe

Make
McLaren
Segment
Coupe

McLaren was alone in opting not to adopt the new 'standard' front end for its new F1 car. That standard front end is now a 'stepped' construction, built in order to accommodate the aerodynamic needs of the car following the changes to the technical regulations; a solution all teams, except McLaren, have applied. It looks ugly and already people are arguing in favor of changing the technical regulations in order to beautify the car, (as if it is a concourse competition) but it's also effective.

We now learn that Lewis Hamilton was heard criticizing the McLaren MP4-27 following the first test at Jerez last week. According to the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport Hamilton told Heikki Kovalainen, a Lotus driver and former McLaren teammate, that he was "disappointed" with his car's performances. "When I saw that all the other cars are high at the front, it did make me wonder if we had done the right thing," Hamilton was quoted by the magazine. He said that his best time - 1 min 19 secs - was achieved with an "aggressive" car, i.e. light on fuel.

Hamilton also said that the car, without the now banned blown diffuser, is more difficult to control in corners than its predecessor. Hamilton finished last year a distant fifth in the Driver's World Championship and for the first time in his racing career was beaten by his teammate, Jenson Button, who finished second.