Kimi tries out new MP4-20

The Finn, who will begin a full-blown test assessment programme with the car alongside Pedro de la Rosa as soon as the roll-out has been completed, gave the new car the thumbs-up.

"A lot of time, effort and work has been invested in the new car, with the engineers working more for us than ever before," said Raikkonen. "My first impression after these few laps is a good one, however, the work for me and my driver colleagues starts only now."

The MP4-20 bears a strong resemblance to its predecessor, the MP4-19B, which was introduced at the British Grand Prix last year and won the Belgian GP at Spa. But like all the 2005-spec cars unveiled so far, the new McLaren features a heavily revised aerodynamic package, including a deeply sculpted front win and reworked rear bodywork to recapture some of the downforce lost to the new regulations designed to slow the cars down.

"With the regulations, particularly on the aerodynamic side, being set comparatively late resulting in even harder and more dedicated work from all members of the team to get MP4-20 on track today," said McLaren's technical director Adrian Newey.

"The spec for MP4-20 was set in May 2004 and this saw the start of wind tunnel work at the McLaren Technology Centre. The timescales have been challenging but that is all part of the excitement of Formula One."

The new car, is the first to have been developed at McLaren's new hi-tech multi-million pound Technology Centre.

"Today's unveiling is the first tangible demonstration of the team's preparations for the 2005 season," said team principal Ron Dennis, "a year that has the potential to be exciting and positive for all the teams, our partners and the fans alike. There is feverish work taking place across the team to achieve the best possible result for this year."