Is it time to write-off Formula One team McLaren?
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The Mercedes-powered outfit was the first to get its new MP4-19 challenger running this winter but it has not really impressed the testing timesheets.
'It's difficult to say where they are at the moment,' rival technical director Patrick Head, of the Grove-based BMW-Williams team, said on Thursday.
Particularly over long-runs, team racers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard don't look special, perhaps due to some niggling new-engine bugs.
MERCEDES ENGINE TURNED-DOWN
'We've heard that,' said the Briton, 'and that maybe they're running with it turned down. But I've learned never to underestimate a team like McLaren.'
Williams' racer Ralf Schumacher agrees that, despite adverse reports from the Spanish testing-venues, McLaren will fire-up in Australia 'very strong.
'Believe me,' the German told ITV-F1. 'They have had enough time to prepare their car and even with their so-called old-car they were very competitive.'