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What's in the box? McLaren prepare to launch their 2011 car in Jerez

Jenson Button cannot hide his excitement at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of the 2011 McLaren for the first time at this week's Jerez test. The 2009 world champion writes on Twitter: "41 hours and 18 minutes before I head out of the pits in the new car!!!"
Full story: McLaren driver Jenson Button on Twitter

McLaren have also ramped up the sense of anticipation after the team tested in Valencia using the 2010 car. McLaren report on their Twitter page: "Back in Spain! Lots of new bits. Lots of boxes. Lots of work. Very excited about first run of MP4-26 tomorrow!"
Full story: McLaren on Twitter

Fun-loving Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi was in serious mode when he talked about his plans for his second full season with the Swiss-based team. He said: "Scoring points at every race possible, from the beginning until the very last race."
Full story: Autosport

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has backed the decision by Williams to float some of its shares on the Frankfurt stock exchange next month. Ecclestone says: "If I could buy shares in the company I would."
Full story: Autosport

Williams has set the price for its initial public share offer at 24-29 euros. The first day of trading is set for 2 March.
Reuters

Co-founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head have said they both remain fully committed to their F1 team despite Head reducing his stake in the team to 5.8% and Williams selling a 6.4% share to reduce his ownership to 50.3%.
Full story: Autosport

Citroen rally boss Olivier Quesnel says Kimi Raikkonen, who is due to drive for his team in the world rally championship, would be free to leave at any time. Quesnel explains that Raikkonen simply hires equipment from him and drives for his own sponsors. The 2007 F1 world champion had been linked to a return to F1 as a potential replacement for injured Renault driver Robert Kubica.
Full story: RMC Sport

Australian Daniel Ricciardo will get his first taste of the 2011 Toro Rosso on the Thursday morning of this week's Jerez test, with Jaime Alguersuari taking over later that day.
Full story: gpupdate.net

After visiting his friend Robert Kubica in hospital in Italy, Pastor Maldonado prepares to return to the cockpit. He writes on his Twitter site: "At Jerez, ready for the next two days of test, I will be in the car Thursday and Friday :-)"
Full story: Williams driver Pastor Maldonado on Twitter

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