“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?

“Another year over – and a new one just begun.”

John Lennon, Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

It may be the end of our year, but, as John Lennon once famously reassured us, a new one is just around the corner. That’s right, nothing stands still in Formula 1 – and what better way to prepare for a new grand prix season than by learning the date of the launch of the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car?

The MP4-27 will break cover on Wednesday February 1 2012. Where? Well, we’re keeping the location close to our collective chests until after the new year! What’s the matter, don’t you like surprises at Christmas??

Invitation details for accredited Formula 1 media will be issued in early January, and the MP4-27 will test for the first time at Jerez on February 7-10th.

In the meantime, we’ll let John Lennon sing us out:

“A very merry Christmas, and a happy new year.

“Let's hope it's a good one – without any fear.”