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McLaren to test new Honda car in 2014?

MONZA, Italy - McLaren could give their 2015 Honda-powered F1 car its first track test in Abu Dhabi after the end of the 2014 season in November, the team's racing director Eric Boullier said on Saturday (Sept 6).

Speaking to reporters at the Italian GP, the Frenchman clarified comments made by Honda motorsport head Yasuhisa Arai who said there were no plans for the car to run until the first pre-season test of 2015 in Jerez.

NO DECISIONS YET

Boullier said: "Regarding the first test of a McLaren Honda-powered car, there is no decision yet about when and where. This is still open.

"It is true that there was a comment but we won't give a definite answer now because we actually don't know yet exactly. But it's very likely it may be before Jerez as well."

A two-day test is scheduled for Abu Dhabi after the final race of the season, which takes place there on November 23.

The 2015 McLaren will be keenly awaited, with the former champions ending a long partnership with Mercedes to rekindle the relationship with Honda, the Japanese manufacturer that powered them to victory in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

McLaren has not won a race since the end of the 2012 season.

Arai told the official formula1.com website this week that there were "no plans to collect data during the rest of 2014. Jerez will be the first time". He added that simulations would start in the next couple of weeks and Honda expected the engine to be competitive immediately.

Arai said: "I have confidence that we will match Mercedes. I trust - I am a firm believer - that we will win races in 2015."

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Italian GP this weekend.
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