Lewis Hamilton: Our car looks different
McLaren driver, Lewis Hamilton believes that the team’s new car MP4-26 is not a revised version of last season’s car. Rather he assured that the team’s 2011 package, MP4-26, is a brand new invention of McLaren which is unique in its features and outlook.
The first pre-season test session kicked off this Tuesday at the Valencia track. While many of the other teams brought their new cars on the track, McLaren and Force India opted to bring the interim version of their last season’s cars. Both the teams declared
last month that their 2010 cars will be used at the first test while the factory will continue working on this year’s car. McLaren has announced to inaugurate its 2011 package in Berlin on Friday, a day after the first session ends. The second pre-season test
is scheduled to begin on the 10th of this month where the team’s car will hit the track for the first time.
While talking to the media after the second test day, the driver proclaimed that as per his observation the new car seems more promising than that of the other top contenders, Red Bull and Ferrari. He explained, "Our car looks different to others and I hope
it reflects on its performance. Ferrari and Red Bull look more like an evolution of last year's car."
Ferrari was the first team this year to unveil its car. In Maranello, the team revealed its car amidst immense media coverage on the 28th of January, while Red Bull launched its car on the 1st of February, ahead of the first day practice.
The Red Bull car had been the fastest on the track both in 2009 as well as in 2010. The team’s chief designer, Adrian Newey believes that this new car will also be very competitive, however, he refrained from claiming it to be the best one in 2011, believing
that time will tell better.
Moreover, while talking to the media after the second day’s practice, Hamilton expressed immense joy to see his father Anthony Hamilton once again on the paddock; his father is managing the Formula 1 rookie Paul di Resta.
While talking to the reporters Hamilton stated, "He (Anthony) has done a fantastic job to get Paul in and clearly he's very gifted at getting drivers to Formula One."
The senior Hamilton has managed his son during his first three years in Formula 1 but was dumped by his son last year as Lewis decided to keep his personal relationships away from his profession.
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