F1 teams McLaren, Sauber pass crash tests

New Delhi: Two teams have started preparations for the 2015 Formula One season in earnest. Both McLaren and Sauber have announced that their respective chassis have passed mandatory FIA crash tests.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis was quoted by ESPN F1, "On the car side, we have just gone through all our crash tests, we are well ahead on programme and the critical test in Abu Dhabi absolutely gave us true north in terms of where we need to go aerodynamically.”

After the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the British livery overhauled its chassis and aerodynamic teams. In the new season, McLaren cars will also be powered by Honda, and their combination is expected to provide challenge to the top teams.

McLaren failed to win a single race in 2014. But Dennis is happy with the team's pre-season efforts. The team roped in a new chief designer Peter Prodromou, despite the return of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

“I think we are well equipped and the key ingredient to optimise the car-chassis performance is possibly the best driver line-up that's ever existed in Formula One," Dennis said.

With two world champions driving for them next season, McLaren can hope to challenge the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. Fernando Alonso, regarded as one of the talented drivers around, and Briton Jenson Button will be their 2015 line-up.

Another struggling team, Sauber also announced that it's 2015 car had passed the crash tests.