Alonso debuts the new McLaren 17 Jan 2007
Fresh from its spectacular unveiling earlier in the week, the McLaren MP4-22 took to the track for the first time on Wednesday morning. World champion Fernando Alonso was at the wheel for the shakedown run at Spain’s Valencia circuit.
Alonso is expected to carry out the standard systems and reliability checks during the one-day session. McLaren will then return to the track for the start of their intensive pre-season testing programme on January 24, when Lewis Hamilton will get his first taste of the new car.
Testing alongside McLaren at Valencia on Wednesday are the BMW Sauber squad, who debuted their new F1.07 machine at the circuit on Tuesday. The German-Swiss team’s session continues until Friday, with race drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica both expected to participate.
