EXCLUSIVE PICS: New McLaren turns first wheel.

The latest McLaren-Mercedes challenger, the MP4-20, has taken its first laps in testing, with Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel for its debut at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

The outing marks the start of an intensive five-day test, which will see Raikkonen joined by new 2005 team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya later in the week. The Finn will continue to drive until Thursday, when Montoya will take over. Pedro de la Rosa will test in the older MP4-19B today, evaluating components and systems, and will share duties during the week with Alex Wurz.

Raikkonen said that he was happy with his first run in the MP4-20, but admitted that, after just a handful of laps, he could not draw too many conclusions as to its true potential.

"A lot of time, effort and work has been invested in the new car, with the engineers working more for us than ever before," he reported in a team statement, "My first impression after these few laps is a good one, however, the work for me and my colleagues starts now."

The appearance of the MP4-20 has been heavily influenced by significant revisions to four key areas in both the sporting and technical regulations, and CEO Martin Whitmarsh admitted that the design team had had to work hard to encompass differences in terms of engine lifespan, tyre limitations and aerodynamics, as well as the fact that the format of the race weekend, particularly qualifying, would put different stresses on the team and car.

"A Formula One car is a fully integrated machine," Whitmarsh commented, "As a consequence, the regulation changes for 2005 have had a major impact on the configuration of the entire package. The revisions created an interesting challenge for the design team under Adrian Newey, Mike Coughlan and Neil Oatley, and the result is a car that looks quite different from last year.

"The focus in these early stages will be systems, aero and component evaluations, before we start looking at more comprehensive programmes towards the end of the week. We have an intensive schedule to complete before the cars leave for Australia, which will see us test at Valencia and Jerez, before coming back to Barcelona. By the second week in February, we will have the second MP4-20 chassis in attendance at Jerez, with the third due to come on line in the following week."

The aerodynamic modifications have led to the most visible differences on the car, and the design of the chassis, which has been exclusively developed in the design office and wind tunnel facilities at the McLaren Technology Centre. The enforced changes include a raised front wing, restricted diffuser height and a rear wing package that has had to be moved forward.

"With the regulations, particularly on the aerodynamic side, being set comparatively late, it took a lot more work to get MP4-20 on track today," technical director Newey revealed, "The spec for MP4-20 was set in May 2004 and this saw the start of wind tunnel work at the McLaren Technology Centre. The timescales have been challenging, but that is all part of the excitement of Formula One, and has seen positive collaboration with all of our technology partners, particularly Michelin, in adapting to the extended use requirements of tyres for the coming season, when they have to last the entire race distance."

While the design team was tested by the new regulations, engine supplier Mercedes was also facing up to the challenge of having to make a V10 that would last for two races instead of a complete meeting in 2004.

"Formula One has created a host of new challenges for all the engineers involved, as well as bigger cuts and restrictions overall than ever during the last decade," motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug commented, "The engine's lifespan is doubled due to a change in the regulations, and this modification was announced extremely late, putting even bigger strain on the engine people. Additional strain was caused by the demand that performance be maintained despite the doubling of the lifespan.

"The new rules concerning the aerodynamic limitations and the use of only one set of tyres per race are no less challenging, and it was therefore an interesting - and busy - winter. With the MP4-20, we hope to have created a powerful package of chassis, engine and tyres, which will enable us to resume the performance and results which our team scored in the second half of last year."

With other teams due to produce their new cars over the next few weeks, a mid-January launch gives McLaren a slight head-start in its preparations for the start of the 2005 season, in Melbourne, in early March.

"Since the MP4-20 was fired up for the first time at 0230hrs on the morning of Thursday 20 January, the anticipatory atmosphere within the team has been building, so we are pleased to have completed its shakedown this morning," said team boss Ron Dennis, "Today's unveiling is the first tangible demonstration of the team's preparations for the 2005 season - a year that has the potential to be exciting and positive for all the teams, our partners and the fans."

To view exclusive pictures of the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-20, click here