Australian GP – McLaren sees ‘Life in Pink’

To say that McLaren-Mercedes sees life through rose-colored glasses might be a bit bold, but it’s nonetheless the truth if we take the end of the 2007 season as a basis. But all this is in the past, and the British team is looking towards the future.

With young and equally spirited drivers, McLaren can seriously consider one or multiple titles in 2008. The pre-season tests have been good, especially thanks to Hamilton who has now settled in with the Woking team.

Kovalainen will have to adapt as quickly as possible and why not perform as well as his teammate, who, a year ago, was dazzling everyone.

Lewis Hamilton – racing driver

For Melbourne, we must have absolute confidence in the car. So, I arrive here with the goal of winning the race, and we will all work tirelessly to try to achieve this objective.

In 2007, Australia was my first Grand Prix; I think the first corner must be one of my best memories, I will never forget that moment. For this race, I finished on the podium for the first time in my career and so close to second place.

« I feel at ease in the MP4/23, I think we’ve made a ‘mega’ step forward in terms of reliability. The car is more efficient than last year’s. I believe we have come a long way since the end of the 2007 season and I am confident that we will be able to compete with the other teams. »

Heikki Kovalainen – racing driver

« My goal is to finish this first race, but I am aware that I still have a lot to learn. I am still in a learning process with the team and I know there are things I need to improve. But I have a solid foundation and we are ready to start the season. »

I need to try to improve throughout the year. To be honest, it’s better not to think too much about this big picture, but more about this first race.

« We have improved the MP4-23 and I hope that this strength will materialize throughout the season. We have been able to put more grip on the car, the whole package is moving forward and that is the main thing. »

Martin Whitmarsh – McLaren F1 Team Principal

« The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team has achieved and even exceeded these development plan targets for the MP4-23 set during the pre-season. The competitiveness of the car is the result of work done by more than 1,000 people. The MP4-23 covered 14,275 kilometers in testing. »

2007 was an interesting year for the team, no one could predict how the season would unfold. Within the team, there is a fantastic atmosphere, especially between our drivers.

« They work well together, they respect each other. Heikki has just joined our team, he is very friendly, intelligent, and very talented. He has already established a strong relationship with the team. »

« Each member of this team needs to win, this includes the drivers, the engineers, the mechanics, etc. We have two great drivers who want to win. Lewis and Heikki are both drivers who are very eager to finish this 2008 season as world champions. »

Norbert Haug – Vice President – Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

« Since we started our testing program on January 9 with two MP4/23s, everything has been going well. Over the last 19 possible testing days since the beginning of January, Heikki has completed 18 test days, Lewis 15, Pedro 6, and Gary 1 day. »

« The whole team worked very hard during the ten weeks leading up to Melbourne. »

Albert Park is very demanding for the engines. About 70% of the time spent here must be at full throttle, which means more than two-thirds of a lap.

The development work on the revised version of the Mercedes-Benz V8 engine began on April 16, 2007, and on November 29, the engine was launched for the first time.

« Our engineers and technicians at Mercedes-Benz have worked hard to provide the best specification engine that will be homologated for five years starting from Melbourne. »