 The McLaren MP4-19B being tested at Silverstone |
McLaren are planning to use their new car at next month's French Grand Prix - but only if it comes through a test at Jerez in Spain next week. McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said the MP4-19B would only be raced in France if it has no problems at the test.
"We are hoping Jerez will be a successful test, which we believe it will be," said Whitmarsh.
"If it is, we will bring the car to the French Grand Prix, although we will be driven by the performance at the test."
The team have had a disappointing start to the season and are sixth in the constructors' championship with just 12 points.
And, although they had an encouraging test of the 19B at Silverstone, Whitmarsh will not say how the car may change their fortunes.
"We're being cautiously optimistic on this occasion," he said.
"But we have to make sure that rather than knee-jerk into bringing a car to the circuit before it is properly developed, we do the right amount of work on the test track.
MMIX
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