Jan.12 (GMM) McLaren has denied reports it will run its Honda-powered 2015 car a few days before its launch and official test debut.
Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo claimed that, following news the MP4-30 will be launched on 29 January, the car will actually clock up some laps beforehand.
“A few days before (the launch), the car will run at Silverstone for a shakedown and to shoot a promotional film,” the report added.
“It is hoped the software problems of the post-season test in Abu Dhabi have been solved.”
But a McLaren spokesman told us: “We are not planning to run the MP4-30 before the Jerez test.”
El Mundo also claimed McLaren is likely to enter a second consecutive season without a title sponsor, given that talks with the Spanish mobile operator Movistar are not promising.
Meanwhile, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Sauber is likely to launch its 2015 car in a simple pitlane unveiling ceremony ahead of the Jerez test.