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Hamilton Hails Completely Different MP4-25

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finally pulled the wraps off the new McLaren Mercedes MP4-25, during a media event that was watched by millions (on the team's official website) around the world. When the car was finally unveiled to the world, there was hardly any disappointment, as the MP4-25 comes with several new features to conquer the world in 2010.

The first and most important – and visible – change at McLaren's Formula One challenger is the shark-fin engine cover that, unlike on the MP4-24, now extends all the way to the rear wing. Additionally, the new car benefits from a Red Bull-style high front nose, something the apparently all the teams will use during the upcoming season (Ferrari showed the same kind of nose on its F10 yesterday).

With the whole McLaren team working additional hours to develop a real title winner next season – unlike the initially-disastrous MP4-24 last year – Hamilton believes the new changes will take the car to the front of the 2010 field. He also revealed that his input through the tough stages of 2009 led to the completely different look of the 2010 car.

The car looks so much different, completely different, and I feel so proud as I have had some input into it. We have been working on this car for quite some time now. The guys are working flat out trying to build components, develop and improve the downforce and aero efficiency,” said Hamilton.

Although yet to disclose the technical specifications for it, team principal and CEO Martin Whitmarsh told the media that the MP4-25 is much longer than the last year's car and also made it very clear that the double diffuser developed by his mechanics – a feature that will be banned in 2011 – is “fairly extreme” but legal.

His specifying that comes only one day after Ferrari's designer Aldo Costa accused “one team” of being on the verge of legality in terms of their 2010-developed double diffuser.

Another piece of information that might be of interest to the McLaren fans out there is that Jenson Button will switch helmet livery for the 2010 season. As it appears, he will again adopt the Union Jack-coloured scheme for the new season, replacing the title-winning yellow version of last year.
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