Monday, May 20th, 2003  
 

Ferrari's all-new F2003-GA contender, which has won the last two grands prix, has not got McLaren overly worried.

Why on earth not? Because this week, on the Paul Ricard test circuit in southern France, Alex Wurz will slide behind the racing wheel of a sparkling silver MP4-18.

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis says the Mercedes-powered car, under wraps until now to extend its design and in-factory development phase, represents a 'quantifiable' step over its predecessor.

And that makes him happy because F2003-GA, Michael Schumacher's 2003 title tool, is not a 'big step.'

Dennis continues: 'Sure, their car is stronger and it is giving us a hard time tight now. But as the championship unfolds will we see if our strategy was right.'

Speculation says the McLaren was delayed so late because several different models and components, including two different new gearboxes, slowed down the whole process.

But the Woking-based boss says Ferrari's new car is an 'incremental step,' while the MP4-18 represents substantial 'fresh thinking' in aerodynamic and packaging design.

'We are therefore quite optimistic about our ability to compete in the latter half of the season,' said Dennis. 'We're not panicking.'

And that air of calm despite 'difficult times' at a busy Woking factory will not rush the introduction of a new silver beast until it is well and truly ready to race.

Paddock speculation says McLaren racers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen will keep steering the older version for two more races until the MP4-18 sees the grand prix grid.

'I would say Nurburgring (June 29, the European Grand Prix) is a reasonably realistic target,' said Coulthard.