Formula 1 countdown - McLaren-Mercedes

The separation of engine partners M ercedes the longstanding Silver Arrows team from Woking, England, has to work hard hit. Who would like to be demoted from the exclusive semi-factory team to the usual customer team?

McLaren blows to attack

Instead of mopping up, McLaren let himself go on. For the second most successful racing team in Formula 1 history, the former partner's change of front has the effect of doping. First pinprick: World Champion Jenson Button swaps Mercedes GP for McLaren. With Lewis Hamilton he forms the new world champion dream team for the English. Sounds perfect, but the potential for conflict is guaranteed. On the other hand, the motivation and ambition of the two champions always remain at a high level.

A driver pairing with two world champions is by no means a guarantee of success. The technology has to do the rest. Like Ferrari, McLaren wants to find its way back to old strength. While Ferrari disengaged itself from the development program of the previous year's car early on, operated McLaren fine-tuning the old MP4-24 until autumn. 'To understand the mistakes we made at the beginning of the season,' says team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

Controversial aerodynamic solution at McLaren

The new McLaren is not a simple evolution of the previous year's model. At the rear, it shows unprecedented aerodynamic solutions that are a topic of conversation and have already alarmed the competition. Rumor has it: targeted stall at top speed. Whether the aero solution is really illegal remains to be seen in Bahrain. FIA race director Charlie Whiting was unable to accept McLaren's invitation to examine the controversial part in advance.

McLaren made a lasting impression on the final test drives in Barcelona. Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the grand finale on Sunday with 1: 20.472 minutes after the car had been completely rebuilt over the weekend. Since then, at the latest, McLaren has been one of the championship favorites in the paddock. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are still stacking deep. 'We don't yet know how fast we are compared to Ferrari, Red Bull or Mercedes,' warns Button. Hamiltonsays: 'It's hard to say who is the strongest of them all. At the moment the Ferrari looks the fastest.'

Forecast: McLaren drove the fastest time in three of the four test weeks and is also fast on the long runs. Actually, no reason to pave the way. The British are definitely one of the favorites. The exciting question will be whether the new aerodynamic solution is really legal and how long you can keep the advantage over the competition.