“Ayrton, we’ve decided to forget the Rio test. We’ll shake the new cars down at Silverstone instead, on Thursday and Friday of this week…” Ron Dennis let the words hang in the air, and with a broad grin listened for the world champion’s response across the 5000-mile telephone link separating Rio from McLaren International’s Woking headquarters. Cupping the palm of his hand over the mouthpiece, he whispered, “He’s not quite sure if I mean it”.
One thing’s almost certain: most of the opposition would indeed be delighted if McLaren’s managing director hadn’t been joking. They would have liked the new MP4/5-Honda to go to Silverstone – and stay there right through the forthcoming Easter weekend. Ever since 1984, when the definitive McLaren-TAG burst victoriously onto the scene in Rio, there have been few teams whose new grand prix cars have been awaited with such a feeling of overwhelming apprehension on the part of their rivals.
