- McLaren
McLaren's MP4-29 a 'laboratory' for next year - Boullier
Eric Boullier insists McLaren will continue pushing with its development for as long as possible in 2014 as he sees the current car as a "laboratory" for the team's first season with Honda.
McLaren will end its 20-year affiliation with Mercedes next year and there has been speculation the team may turn its focus to 2015 earlier than usual in preparation. But Boullier does not think abandoning 2014 would do McLaren any favours due to the current regulations, as he is convinced everything the team is doing in the current campaign will have a knock-on effect next year.
When asked if McLaren would continue to push this season with work for a "different car" required for Honda next year, Boullier said: "Yes, but if you remember the regulations, the pick-up points are the same for chassis and gearbox. We are developing the car and we are going to keep developing the car for a long time, actually. Most of the upgrades from this car will be carried over to next year's car so that's why we are using this car as a laboratory for next year."
Boullier admits McLaren expects at least two more significant packages this season - in Belgium and Singapore.
When it was put to Boullier that his earlier answer meant McLaren would retain its current battery and Energy Recovery System (ERS) layouts will be similar to this year, he replied: "No, it doesn't mean anything like this. To finish the other question, at Spa we have a significant upgrade and another one in Singapore."