McLaren Duo Looking Forward to Driving New Car

Both David Coulthard and teammate Kimi Raikkonen admitted they are looking forward to try the new McLaren, which was unveiled at the Barcelona circuit on Saturday. Both Coulthard and Raikkonen, alongside test driver Alexander Wurz, have been working hard since the beginning of the year, testing intensively both at Barcelona and Valencia.

"The team has done a great job at the factory preparing the MP4-17 and we are all looking forward to seeing how the car runs," said Coulthard today. "Since testing recommenced, we have completed significant mileage and this, in addition to the variable weather conditions, has allowed us to fully assess how the Michelin tyres perform.

"There is an inherent determination to succeed that exists throughout the whole team and we will continue to develop the car to ensure we have the complete package."

The Scot driver, who finished in second place in last year's Championship behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, will begin his seventh season with the Woking-based squad, but it will be the first year that Coulthard is not partnered by Finn Mika Hakkinen, who decided to take a sabbatical at the end of 2001.

Coulthard won only two races last season, compared to Schumacher's nine, but the McLaren driver is confident the new car will be more competitive and will allow him to present a serious challenge to the German four-time champion.

"There are pages and pages of areas that the team believes to have been weaknesses," added Coulthard. "On paper, they have been improved. Does it mean the car will be quicker on track? It doesn't, but I would be surprised if it wasn't quicker and frankly it has to be because otherwise we are not going to be competitive."

Replacing the Finn, compatriot Kimi Raikkonen will start his second Formula One season in 2002 after making his debut with the Sauber team last year. The 22-year old, who has been impressive in winter testing so far setting a new record at the Valencia circuit this week, is looking forward to get behind the wheel of the new MP4-17.

"It has been an intensive few weeks as the team and myself build and cement relationships and understanding, and I am now beginning to feel like an integral part of West McLaren Mercedes," Raikkonen said. "We have covered a lot of ground in testing already and I have been very impressed with the interim car.

"I am now extremely keen to drive the MP4-17 and to continue my learning curve in the build up to the 2002 season."