Hamilton eyeing second title bid

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Lewis Hamilton targeted a second World Championship as McLaren unveiled their new car for the 2009 season.

The Englishman and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen took the wraps off the new Mercedes-powered MP4-24 at the team's base in Surrey.

And 24-year-old Hamilton said: "This is now my third season and I've got my targets. I want the title again."

Meanwhile, McLaren said Ron Dennis will step down as team principal on 1 March, to be replaced by Martin Whitmarsh.

Hamilton won last year's title by a single point from Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who has already had a day testing his team's new car.

The McLaren car is the third to be unveiled ahead of the new season after Ferrari and Toyota's new models broke cover earlier this week.

And Hamilton said: "The car looks beautiful and it's great to see the final outcome.

"But I certainly don't feel any extra pressure being champion. This season will be a whole new challenge for everyone, including me, because of the rule changes.

"I think this will be a very open season - no-one quite knows what to expect, and that should make it exciting - it's a great prospect for F1 fans."

Team-mate Kovalainen added: "I'm fortunate enough to have watched behind the scenes as this year's car has taken shape and I've been amazed at just how hard everybody has worked.

"With so many new rules, adapting quickly will be essential and I feel more prepared than ever for the new season."

Test driver Pedro de la Rosa will give the McLaren its debut in a private test at Portugal's Algarve circuit on Saturday - the first of a series of critical tests before the start of the new season in Melbourne, Australia on 29 March.

Ferrari, Renault, Williams and Toyota - whose car was unveiled on Thursday - will join McLaren at the new Algarve circuit in Portugal next week.

Renault, fourth last year, and Williams both launch their cars at that test on Monday, while BMW Sauber - third overall in 2008 - have chosen the Valencia track in Spain for the first public appearance of their new model.

All the new cars have been designed to conform to the biggest set of F1 rule changes in 25 years, which are aimed at improving racing and making overtaking easier.

The Algarve test will be the first time Hamilton has driven an F1 car at speed since clinching the title and becoming F1's youngest ever champion in Brazil last November.