By Sam Cooper
November 4 2007

Today the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one team have announced the launch date for their 2008 title contender, the MP4-23. The time of two weeks in January gives the scrutineers time to examine next years car to make sure no Ferrari data has gotten into the development of McLarens new car.

It is not know who will drive the second McLaren next year, dispite this the team has been working on last years car since early July.

"We will do everything we possibly can to make sure that neither of the McLarens has any element of Ferrari intellectual property in it. Or, if it does, we will then have to consider taking some sort of action," FIA President Max Mosley said recently.

It is thought that either Hekki Kovalinen, Nico Rosberg or Adrian Suttil will fill Fernando Alonso's seat, however Pedro De La Rosa or Gary Paffett could fill the Spaniards seat.

Fernando is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday where he will be going next year. It is not known when McLaren will announce who is driving next year. We expect an announcement before McLaren's launch of their new car.