F1: McLaren shows MP4-24

New aerodynamic rules for 2009 have resulted in a wider and deeper front wing - designed to keep the front of the car down and to provide more turn-in. The rear wing, however, is completely different: although deeper (front to back) it is much narrower. The wings result from work done by Renault, Ferrari and McLaren to combat complaints from drivers in 2007 that the aerodynamic characteristics of cars made overtaking difficult.

The new car is clean and sleek. The FIA has banned the sprouting small wings that all teams applied during 2008. The larger teams, with their own wind tunnels, were able to create a customised aero package for each track based on the characteristics of the track. However, how much they really added in terms of performance has always been open to doubt: a wind tunnel is a controlled environment but in the real world everything from atmospheric pressure to wind speed and direction affects the way the package works.

The return for 2009 to full racing slicks will aid grip: the theory behind the regulations is that a reduction on reliance on aerodynamics and an increase in mechanical grip (how much the tyres grab the road) will lead to more slipstreaming and, hence, more overtaking.

The car will run on a Mobil unleaded fuel - in its high performance 5.75% biofuel mix. This is expected to provide more power than standard unleaded.

But the real performance boost McLaren hope to see is somewhere between three and five tenths of a second per lap from the new KERS device. McLaren and Mercedes have worked together to produce this development which was banned from F1 but has been re-authorised for 2009. Basically, energy produced under braking is stored - and then released at the driver's option. From the driver's point of view, it's not dissimilar to the "power boost" button in A1 GP although the underlying technology is radically different. The energy is stored during each lap, and when released at the driver's option delivered the equivalent of an additional 80bhp for just over six and a half seconds.

Expect, then, some fireworks at early races as drivers use it to fight off a dive at corners, only to find out that they are boosting when they should be braking.

The FIA has restricted engine RPM to 18,000 - last year, Ferrari increased their revs to almost 19,000 according to on-screen telemetry. The 2.4 litre V8 engines are basically the same as last year's unit. In a blow to all overweight F1 fans, the engine weighs just 95kg. That's not very different from that cited by various commentators as the average weight of American males.

The car had its first outing last week at a group test in Portimao. The next two tests are at Jerez and then there is one at Barcelona before the teams head out for Melbourne after just one private test. No track testing is permitted during the season and the removal in 2008 of the T-car means that there is less chance for running during a race weekend. Teams, then, will have to make do with bench-testing and wind-tunnels plus computer modelling.

At the launch of the car on the 16th January, Ron Dennis handed over his role as Team Principal and CEO of the racing team to Martin Whitmarsh but retains his position as Chairman and CEO of the Mclaren group of companies.

The livery of the car remains similar to recent seasons although a new paint supplier, AkzoNobel, is supplying the product which will improve both the quality of the chrome finish and its application - including reducing drying time by 50%.

Testing the car for the first time, World Champion Lewis Hamiton said "On first impressions, the car doesn't feel too different from last year's in terms of balance and grip. Of course, the way we generate that grip has changed compared to last year, but the car feels good underneath me. Now the interesting part begins, as we start to refine the car and start using the KERS button and the front-wing flaps."

The Melbourne race will be held on 29th March 2009.