McLaren boss Ron Dennis today told reporters at the launch of the new MP4/23 that he was focused on the future and not looking back. No surprise given that in 2007 the team were stripped of all their team points, effectively finishing last, were fined a record 100 million dollars and lost the driver’s championship by a point in the final race. Ron definitely has a knack for understatement.

Still, today’s launch in Stuttgart was all smiles. Lewis Hamilton, who today celebrated his 23rd birthday, was brimming with excitement as was Renault refugee Heikki Kovalainen. Its an ideal pairing for Ron Dennis as its expected Hamilton will only face moderate pressure from the Finn. Everyone will have learned how destructive two bulls in the same pasture can be from last year’s Hamilton/Alonso partnership.

Still, its hard not to root for Heikki and hope he gives Hamilton a bit to think about. Like Hamilton last year, there is little pressure and an established benchmark to compete against. Will he be the Berger to Hamilton’s Senna and easily assume the number 2 position or will he embrace his racer’s instinct and challenge Hamilton? I look forward to it being the latter scenario.

McLaren are a resilient team with massive depth in all their departments. The setbacks of 2007 will likely be overcome but not soon enough to stop a Ferrari juggernaut from steamrolling to the title. Simply, McLaren need to play it too straight with the rules and the FIA this year to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.

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