McLaren's 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28

McLaren might have made a huge mistake not trying harder to keep Hamilton on the team, but they surely put on a stunning show unveiling their 2013 Formula 1 challenger, the MP4-28. It so happens that McLaren is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, that a parade of victorious McLarens was called for. The parade included the 1970’s M8D CanAm sportscar, Emerson Fittipaldi’s iconic 1974 M23, Ayrton Senna’s 1988 MP4/4, the 1995 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR, Mika Hakkinen’s MP4-13 car from 1998 and Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 MP4-23.

After the parade, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’s drivers for 2013, Jenson Button in a prototype of the McLaren P1 and the 23 year old graduate of the Ferrari driving academy, Sergio “Checo” Perez in a McLaren MP4-12C Spider arrived to unveil the MP4-28 with Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh.

Jenson Button, Martin Whitmarsh, Sergio Perez at the unveiling of the 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28

“For 2013, of course, we go racing to win. With Jenson and Checo, and this fantastic-looking new car, I believe we’re extremely well prepared for another competitive season. Jenson is driving better than ever – he’s the most experienced driver in Formula 1, but he makes every ounce of that experience count: he’s peerless in his ability to read a race and one of the very fastest drivers out there. He’s a consummate professional, too, and will revel in working hard to drive this team through the year.” said Martin Whitmarsh.

Jenson Button arrives in the prototype McLaren P1 for the unveiling of the 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28

“Obviously, the biggest change for 2013 is my new team-mate, Checo. It’s always interesting and inspiring to begin working with a new face, and it already feels like a very positive working relationship” said Jenson Button on his new teammate. “This year’s car is the best we’ve ever made – I know the engineers have left absolutely no stone unturned in wringing every ounce of performance from every available area. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel and attempt to carry forward the incredible legacy that lives beneath the skin of every single man and woman who works at McLaren.” he added.

Jenson Button, Sergio Perez at the unveiling of the 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28

Button’s teammate Sergio has impressed Whitmarsh already. “Checo joins us after a sensational 2012 season and he’s immediately proved that he’s intelligent, modest, hard-working and, make no mistake; very, very quick. Of course, there’ll be a learning curve to overcome as he gets used to our organisation, particularly during the hustle and bustle of the early-season race weekends, but he understands that we are placing no pressure on him.” said Whitmarsh.

“This is an exciting time for the whole team. In our 50th anniversary season, I want Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to underline why we are the finest grand prix team in the world.” concluded the team principal for McLaren.

McLaren MP4-12C Spider and the McLaren P1 prototype at the unveiling of McLaren's 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28McLaren P1 prototype at the unveiling of McLaren's 2013 F1 contender Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-28