Essential Reading for January 17th, 2009

Recommended links for January 17th, 2009:

• More from behind the scenes at McLaren – McLaren was finishing its fifth and final 2009 chassis when we were there, which is pretty impressive. Interestingly the one they put in for the crash test, is going to be used for testing and racing. It will be in Portugal next week, despite having been smashed into from all angles by the FIA’s crash test devices! I always thought you just chucked the crash test tub in the bin, but apparently not.
• McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 Potimao test notes 2009-01-17 – After a delayed start to the day, the test team completed 18 laps in the MP4-24 during a private test, Pedro setting a best time of 1m 28.719s on his 13th lap. Pedro resumes the car's pre-season programme at Portimao on Monday and Tuesday before handing over to Lewis Hamilton on Wednesday. Heikki Kovalainen will conclude the four-day test session on Thursday.
• Shocked Hamilton knew only minutes before that mentor Ron Dennis was quitting McLaren – Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton had no warning that his mentor, Ron Dennis, was planning to relinquish his role as team principal at McLaren after 27 years.

  "I only heard Ron was standing down a couple of minutes before he announced his decision" said 24-year-old Hamilton.