McLaren has denied speculation it is set to drop its traditional silver livery for the 2011 season.
Reports had linked the team’s launch of mainly black and red official clothing for this year with rumours McLaren may want to differentiate itself from former works partner Mercedes, who now compete with a similarly silver-liveried car.

“Black livery? Er, no,” McLaren said via its official Twitter feed TheFifthDriver.

The Woking based team, still powered by Mercedes engines, added that the 2011 livery will be “the same Rocket Red and chrome finish that you’ve grown to love since Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was born in 2007″.

“That’s official, btw (by the way),” McLaren confirmed.

Last year there were Red Bull and Renault engine supplier to a few races to fight for the title of Formula 1, but even then, the team flirted to Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in order to replace the units in the rear of the racing cars by Mercedes engines. If it has not been known – and a renewed attempt now seems to fail.

This calculates at least Helmut Marko, Red Bull motorsport consultant to “As the Mercedes engine is apparently not have, according to recent statements of the Mercedes executives, we will probably stay at Renault as an engine supplier,” says the former Formula-1 -driver with ‘Sport Bild’ – all the Red-Bull-Renault wins so far achieved with force.
Maybe the racing team to team boss Christian Horner in the coming season will go even one step further and buy more equipment elements in the French: Red Bull would go with KERS in 2011 at the start. Marko: “Either we then use the hybrid system of Renault or we buy one of their suppliers and Magneti Marelli adapt it to himself.”

Jun.11 (GMM)  The McLarens fell off the pace in Canada on Friday afternoon, despite looking competitive in the initial practice session.

The buzzwords of the final 90-minutes of running for the day were extreme tyre degradation and graining, with the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s newly-resurfaced corners giving up precious little grip.

Many runners had to call off planned long runs on the softer ‘option’ tyres because they lasted no more than a few laps.

“Everyone is struggling with the same thing, so I think it will be a pretty interesting race to see what happens with strategies,” said Jenson Button, who was just 11th quickest in the afternoon.

His teammate Lewis Hamilton added: “I think a lot of people had the same experience, except perhaps the Red Bulls, so it’s going to be an interesting one.”

Indeed, having trailed the Mercedes engines and F-ducts in the morning, Sebastian Vettel set the afternoon’s fastest time, with Ferrari’s next-best Fernando Alonso also not complaining as loudly as the McLaren drivers.

“Friday’s result is not that important, but it’s looking not too bad,” said Red Bull runner Vettel.

“I think we are quite competitive, so let’s see.”

Jun.11 (GMM) Mercedes engines and F-ducts on Friday led the pace during opening practice for the Canadian grand prix.

As expected at the unique Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it was the most powerful engine allied with the downforce-stalling ‘F-duct’ technology that looks the ideal package.

The four Mercedes-powered McLarens and Mercedes cars monopolised the top four positions at the end of the morning 90-minute session, with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel just fifth.

“It is a circuit that should play to the advantage of the Mercedes-powered teams and the teams with the F-duct — and we have neither!” laughed team boss Christian Horner.

Mercedes, whose Michael Schumacher ran McLaren’s Jenson Button close for the fastest morning laptime, is believed to be running a more refined version of its F-duct system this weekend.

“When it works properly it is a very, very powerful tool — and we are persevering with it,” said team boss Ross Brawn.

Yesterday, Kovalainen completed 30 laps prior to the accident where his front wing broke and forced him to leave the circuit, because there was no spare part to replace it.  However, he was not distressed and even though he admitted the single-seater lacks aerodynamics, he assured that the T127 has great potential.

“I think the potential is there.  The initial sensation this morning was good,” explained Kovalainen.  “With enough grip in the slow curves, the car is behaving quite well.  But it does lack adherence in high speeds [curves] where we lose time, probably too, because of configuration issues [set-up].  But, overall it is alright and I enjoyed it very much.”

After running for McLaren since 2008, Kovalainen has great experience in races with the Formula One champion team and is used to utilizing Mercedes engines – considered as the best in the grid.

When asked to compare the Lotus’ V8 Cosworth with Mercedes’ engine, he said: “In terms of sheer power, it is not very far from Mercedes’, although it is probably not as good, but on the whole, the sensation is quite positive.  The ease with which you drive it was very competitive when compared with Mercedes.  The power is located at different areas, but I feel it is one of the strongest parts of the car.”

Kovalainen has remained in Jerez to test his car today, Friday.  The new front wing was delivered last nigh to the racing team.