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Breaking with tradition: McLaren changes 2017 car name!

In a further effort to distance itself from the not so distant past when Ron Dennis ruled the Woking-based squad, McLaren has abandoned the 'MP4' tag.

The team's 2017 challenger will now be named the MCL32

Ever since the arrival of Ron Dennis at the helm of McLaren in 1981, all McLaren cars started with the 'MP4' moniker derived from the association of McLaren and Ron Dennis' Project 4 outfit.

It has also been suggested that foregoing the 'MP4' reference could be rooted in legal considerations if one assumes that Ron Dennis may actually still own the tag.

With potential litigation linked to the former McLaren headman's ousting in the works, change of name could have been forced upon the F1 manufacturer.

McLaren announced the change on its Twitter feed.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.