JUNE 17, 2003

Wurz escapes MP4-18 crash

McLaren test driver Alexander Wurz crashed one of the new MP4-18s heavily at Jerez on Tuesday, seriously damaging the car. The accident does not appear to have been caused by any mechanical problem but comes just 10 days after another big crash for the MP4-18 in testing. The team has yet to decide when to debut the new car but the new crash will probably mean that the car will not now appear before the British GP in mid July.

McLaren is keen to get the new car running as fast as possible as it has now dropped behind Ferrari in the World Championship and Wiilliams-BMW is closing fast on the two top teams.