McLaren Pushing to Clinch Title
McLaren are pushing with the development of their MP4-20 car and plan to introduce new components in Japan and China
The team from Woking moved into the lead of the Constructors' Championship in Brazil, where they scored their first one-two since the 2000 season. They lead Renault by two points with just two rounds of the Championship remaining.
Although McLaren have been the pace-setters in the last races, the team plan to introduce new developments in order to secure the crown.
"We have some developments coming onto MP4-20 for Japan and China and we are continuing to push hard," said McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh. "We have a fast car and a strong team and we want to finish the season with a title that befits our current performance.
"Following the typhoon that was forecast last year, everyone is hoping for a less eventful Grand Prix weather wise. Suzuka is a technical track with characteristics similar to Spa, for example the elevation changes.
"There is an abrasive track surface, so it can be fairly tough on tyres and as a result we will be selecting from the mid-hard compound Michelin range."
Despite having lost the drivers' title to Renault's Fernando Alonso, McLaren have won the last five races and are the favourites to continue with their streak in Suzuka.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen feels the team can have another good weekend, and he is looking forward to fighting teammate Juan Pablo Montoya after the Colombian won the Brazilian Grand Prix.
"We will give it our all to win the Constructors' World Championship by aiming to score the best possible results in Japan and China, and I think we have the package to achieve this," said the Finn.
"Juan Pablo and I had a good battle in Brazil and I am looking forward to continuing it this weekend."
Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa returns to the cockpit of the third car for this weekend's race, with Austrian Alex Wurz having driven in the last three events.
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