McLaren Confirm Traction Control Testing

The McLaren team are working hard to make sure they are on the speed when traction control is introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

The Woking-based team have confirmed that test-driver Alexander Wurz has been working on their traction control system in a private test at the Magny-Cours circuit in France.

McLaren managing director Martin Whitmarsh said: "We have been concentrating on tyre development in preparation for Malaysia as well as engine durability runs and electronic systems development for the revised rules which come into effect in Spain."

The team also revealed Mika Hakkinen's Australian Grand Prix retirement was caused by the failure of a front lower wishbone outer joint on the front suspension.

While McLaren have been testing at Magny-Cours in France, Ferrari have been in Italy, and Jordan, Jaguar, Arrows, BMW-Williams and Benetton have all been in action at Silverstone.

Sauber, meanwhile, has been concentrating on pleasing Malaysian sponsors Petronas prior to the country's Grand Prix by running a C20 around the public roads, and Prost's Jean Alesi is doing PR work in Japan.

British American Racing did no testing this week after their terrible start to the season in Melbourne, while Minardi flew half their team back to Europe to work on their third car which will be sent to Malaysia on Sunday to be used as a spare.