F1: McLaren to be faster in Sepang

After a torrid 2013, a double podium in the season opening Australian Grand Prix will seem like a welcomed relief. However, there is more to be positive about, for Jenson Button and the team believes that they have the race car in the MP4-29 to stay at the front. Button said that Australia was a "really motivational race for the entire team”, and feels that they have “turned a corner” with a racecar that can be further developed to match the pace of the Mercedes and the Williams. Button also mentioned that Sepang is a great driver’s circuit, and that downforce will play second fiddle to the MP4-29’s balance and driveability. Pictures used for illustration purposes only.

Newly appointed McLaren racing director Eric Boullier believes that speed is not as crucial as driveability and fuel management in the opening races of the 2014 F1 season. The Woking-based squad has had a phenomenal start to the pre-season tests, with both Button and Magnussen battling with the works Mercedes team for the fastest lap. However, the MP4-29 gradually became less competitive as the test went on, although upgrades before Melbourne should restore that lost pace. Boullier agrees that downforce will bring a lot of pace, but for now at least, so will driveability and reliability. Not only that, the drivers will have to adapt and change their driving style to ensure 100 litres of fuel will get them through the race. He also mentioned that their usual competitors, Mercedes and Red Bull, look very fast, with Williams joining in the fray. Pictures used for illustration purposes only.

McLaren officially joins the list of luxury and sports car manufacturers to not build SUVs. This is according to McLaren Automotive’s CEO Mike Flewitt, telling Bloomberg that the Woking-based company shall remain “very focused”. He then added that McLaren is a sports car brand, and will remain one, even though its competitors are producing SUVs.  However, should the coming Lamborghini Urus and Bentley SUVs become commercially viable, observers expect Flewitt's perspective to "evolve". BMW collapsed under consumer pressure and made M versions of their SUVs. Porsche too have succumbed to the pressure; they originally said the Cayenne would be the smallest SUV they will ever make. Look at what they just launched- the Porsche Macan, an SUV smaller than the Cayenne. Rolls Royce have been toying with the idea even though they were initially against it. If McLaren keeps its promise, it will be one of 2 companies that manufactures only pure sports cars, the other being Ferrari. Picture used for illustration purposes only.