McLaren is in a race against time to get its new Formula 1 car ready for the first 2014 test at Jerez.
Although the team plans to launch its new MP4-29 online next Friday (January 24), doubts have now emerged about whether or not the new car will be able to take part in the opening pre-season test.
AUTOSPORT understands that McLaren has not yet passed all the mandatory FIA crash tests – and there has been speculation that it may even have failed one or more tests, putting it behind schedule.
Under a regulation that came into force at the start of 2012, teams must pass the FIA’s stringent crash tests before they are allowed to run on track.