McLaren Plan to Run Third Car in 2005

The McLaren-Mercedes team plan to run a third car on Fridays of each Grand Prix during the 2005 season, according to CEO Formula One Martin Whitmarsh.

Under current regulations, the bottom six teams from the previous year are allowed to run a third car on Friday prior to each Grand Prix weekend.

McLaren finished last year in fifth position in the Constructors' Championship, which means they will be allowed to another car next season.

"There are obvious benefits to be gained as the third driver can do tyre comparison and chassis set-up work without worrying about engine miles," said Whitmarsh. "In theory that means that the other drivers don't have to run as many miles as those in other leading teams.

"A third car will help us, normally there will be a conflict in people's minds. The chassis engineers will want to pile miles on, those working on the engine will want to conserve its life, and the tyre engineers have a limited number of tyres to use.

"If you've got a third car that falls outside those limitations of mileage and number of tyres, it's a nice thing to have. We'll have an experienced driver piloting the car. You've got to have someone who's an integral part of your development programme."

The third car must be run by a driver with a superlicence but who has not raced in six or more Grands Prix in the past two years. That makes both Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa - McLaren's test drivers - eligible for the job.