MAY 9, 2012

McLaren makes changes for Barcelona

McLaren is set to race a higher nosed version of its MP4-27 in the first European round of the F1 season at Barcelona this weekend.

The team tried the modification late on the final day of last week's Mugello test and the nose, with longer pillars down to the front wing, brings the McLaren more in line with the so-called 'platypus' frontal treatment of most other 2012 chassis.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "You are looking for lower drag and higher downforce but nowadays incremental improvements are generally modest.

"The attachment pylons are quite different and the flap and endplates have other subtle differences."

Whitmarsh confirmed that the team has also made personnel and procedural changes to its pit stop operations after losing time and positions in the pits in both China and Bahrain. He remains confident that the team will remain competitive as F1 goes into the European season with four different winners from the first four rounds.