McLaren to test Honda in Abu Dhabi

McLaren will run Honda power units at this week's Abu Dhabi test

From Autosport — McLaren has given the green light for the public debut of its new Honda development car in this week's post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test.

McLaren conducted a "filming day" shakedown at Silverstone of the MP4-29H at Silverstone recently to check out the installation of the new power unit. Initial feedback having been positive, the team and its Japanese engine partner are ready for more thorough running at Yas Marina from Tuesday.

McLaren test driver Stoffel Vandoorne will drive on both days. Racing director Eric Boullier insisted the team would not be hampered by not having one of its 2015 race drivers on call.

"We are going to use the car to check all of the systems and carry on," he said. "When you go through the first check of a new engine, I promise you it is a very boring job and we don't know how many laps we will do. We expect as many as possible, but I am not sure we will do that much."

As well as the Honda running, Marcus Ericsson will get his first run in a Sauber while Jolyon Palmer and Spike Goddard will run for Force India.

FULL TEST LINEUP

Mercedes: Nico Rosberg/Pascal Wehrlein (tbc)
Red Bull: Carlos Sainz Jr/Daniel Ricciardo
Ferrari: Kimi Raikkonen/Raffaele Marciello
Williams: Valtteri Bottas/Felipe Nasr
McLaren: Stoffel Vandoorne
Lotus: Esteban Ocon/Charles Pic
Force India: Jolyon Palmer/Spike Goddard
Toro Rosso: Max Verstappen
Sauber: Marcus Ericsson
Caterham: Will Stevens