Wurz positive after new McLaren run

McLaren test driver Alex Wurz has given positive first impressions of the team's 2002 challenger after giving the MP4-17 its maiden outing at Barcelona today (Saturday)

The all-new McLaren, which the Woking-based team hope will enable it to take the fight back to Ferrari this year, was unveiled at the Circuit de Catalunya on Saturday morning.

Wurz was entrusted with putting the first miles on the new car in front of the world's media and after completing a handful of trouble-free laps, the Austrian was quietly optimistic.

"My initial impression is that the low-speed mechanical grip is better," said Wurz. "But the track is too dirty to give any impression of the high-speed aerodynamics."

The car had already undergone a preliminary shakedown at Silverstone on Thursday. But Wurz had a more extensive run on Saturday, completing 45 trouble-free laps with a best time of 1m21.1s, equalling the time set by race driver David Coulthard at the track two weeks ago in last year's MP4-16.

Following his initial set-up work, Wurz will hand over to Coulthard on Sunday, who has the track to himself before other teams join on Monday.

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