McLaren plan subdued 2008 car debut

(GMM) McLaren on Friday said it currently has no plans to launch its 2008 car, the MP4-23, with a traditional official presentation.

Marking the beginning of double world champion Fernando Alonso's ultimately ill-fated switch to the team in 2007, McLaren launched its championship campaign with a million-dollar fanfare on the floodlit streets of Valencia.

A year on, battered by the 'Stepneygate' espionage affair, the 2008 car will make a subdued first appearance at an exclusive Jerez test in the second week of January.

"The team will provide the media with photographs and further details about the car when it runs," the team said on Friday.