McLaren have no plans in place to manufacturer their own Formula 1 engines. That is according to Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, who faced questions over the scenario as the team launched its new MP4-27 on Wednesday morning.

2012 will mark Sam Michael’s first Formula 1 campaign as McLaren Sporting Director, having departed his role of Williams Technical Director before the end of last season. In his first three months, the Australian claims to have been impressed by the working environment.

Formula 1 team McLaren show off new MP4-27 car they hope will deliver the 2012 drivers' title.

Martin Whitmarsh admits that McLaren has set a number of ‘tough targets’ in order to clinch both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles this year – a feat the team has failed to manage since 1998. The Team Principal was speaking on Wednesday morning as the squad unveiled its new MP4-27 at the Woking Technology Centre.

McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe and director of engineering Tim Goss talk about the MP4-27

McLaren's technical director Paddy Lowe and director of engineering Tim Goss discuss the gestation of the team's newly-launched MP4-27 machine… Q: After a successful 2011 season, what were your main aims with the development of the MP4-27? Paddy Lowe: Our main objectives for the 2012 season were to optimise downforce despite the changes to the blown floor

Having launched the MP4-27 on Wednesday morning along with his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button has declared that the outfit need to be strong from the outset and arrive at the first race confident of doing well. Button is hopeful the Woking team have regained downforce from the loss of the blown diffuser from last season.

McLaren unveiled its 2012 contender, the MP4-27, at its Woking HQ this morning, 2011 championship runner-up Jenson Button describing the car as beautiful.

McLaren became the first front-running team to reveal their 2012 challenger on Wednesday, as the wraps came of the new MP4-27 at the team's UK factory in Woking. With it, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hope to land McLaren their first constructors' crown since 1998. Unlike the 2012 Caterham launched last week, McLaren have avoided a stepped-nose design by making the whole front end of the chassis lower. “This is a beautiful car,” commented Button

McLaren’s drivers have removed the covers from the new MP4-27. The launch presentation took place at the team’s Woking factory on Wednesday morning, hosted by Sky television commentator David Croft. The 2012 car features a selection of fresh features, not least a tighter rear end and larger rear wing to make up for the lost downforce now that exhaust-blown diffusers are banned.