team would require exclusive use of facilities during test sessions

McLaren negotiating for test facilities at the Maó Aeroclub

aeroclub. Runway offers a long straight stretch for aerodynamic tests of racing cars

Technicians from the Formula 1 motor-racing team visited the aeroclub a few weeks ago to inspect the facilities available and appeared to be very satisfied

c.m.w..Maó

The British motor-racing team McLaren has spent several months searching for a suitable venue for test-driving its racing cars and it would seem that the Maó Aeroclub may have been chosen for this role. The club´s management confirmed that negotiations are at an advanced stage with only a few details remaining to be agreed before an agreement is signed.

Until a few months ago McLaren, along with other Formula 1 teams, carried out tests at a military field in the U.K. but the contract expired at the end of 2006 and has not been renewed, leaving the teams without a test circuit. McLaren has been searching for a viable alternative and it would appear that the Menorcan airfield may be the most suited to its requirements which include a completely straight track, at least 1,800 metres in length, and hotels and restaurants nearby.

The first contact between the two parties was made towards the end of last year, with the result that a few weeks ago technicians from the Formula 1 team visited the aeroclub to inspect the facilities and were, apparently, quite satisfied with the result. The team was hoping to start tests at the end of this month but, according to the aeroclub management, this will only be possible once an agreement has been signed.

Few details of the proposed agreement have been made public, but it is known that the racing team would require exclusive use of the aeroclub´s facilities during test sessions, a condition which would not appear to be a problem. No details of the financial arrangements have yet been revealed but the added income would be welcomed by the aeroclub.

There is speculation that the current Formula 1 World Champion and McLaren´s number one driver, Fernando Alonso, may carry out three or four test drives a year but that, along with the other details, remains to be confirmed.

A confirmation that has not been forthcoming from the McLaren team itself, a spokesperson for which would only give a generalised statement to this newspaper yesterday, as follows: "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are always looking at new circuits to use for their testing programme. Menorca has been suggested along with many other venues in this continuous process; however at this stage there is no further information available".