Formula One team McLaren have confirmed that their new car has come through the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile's crucial 'crash tests'.
Crucial for car to be passed fit for use
"After a lot of hard work, I want to say thanks to those who helped us pass the FIA's crash tests. Now to get it painted...!" said racing director Eric Boullier.
.@eboullier: "After a lot of hard work, I want to say thanks to those who helped us pass the @fia's crash tests. Now to get it painted...!" pic.twitter.com/qPRJZNHq3O
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 25 January 2017
Completion of the series of evaluations, introduced in 1985, is an essential requirement for a car to be allowed to race in the F1 World Championship.
According to the FIA, the examinations comprise "dynamic impact tests [which] are performed on the front, sides, and rear of the chassis, plus the steering column."
Car to be presented in late February
McLaren's 2017 car is due to be unveiled at the outfit's base in Woking on 24 February, with the new F1 season set to get underway in Australia on 24-26 March.