With the recent end of the McLaren-Mercedes run, McLaren now starts a new phase to its existence. If there’s one car that Propelled McLaren to the lime-light, it’s the famed McLaren F1 - its first and only proper supercar to solely bear its name. After that, it has been a series of tie-ups and F1 runs.

News has been around that McLaren will be building its long-awaited second supercar almost a decade after seeing the F1. Early prototypes of the car (dubbed as the P11) have appeared since the middle of last month. A production version is set to debut late next year and they plan to have the car in showrooms by March 2010.

Powering the car. is a 550 hp V8 engine. It will also be available in soft and hard tops. Before the days of the Zonda, the CCR, and the Veyron, the McLaren F1 used to occupy the title of the world’s fastest production supercar. But McLaren isn’t targetting that spot with this one, obviously not with a 550 hp car. Insiders claim that the P11 will be targetting the F430 and other cars in the 600hp class. Perhaps a way for McLaren to claim a stake in the market after being always associated with Merc.

But the next car, the P12, is one to be seen. Powered by a 600 hp V10, and to be stripped down for lightweightedness, McLaren’s next car will give the old F1 a run for its money.

Source: Autocar

Ferrari shows top form as Felipe Massa went on for a strong finish after overtaking BMW Sauer’s Robert Kubica in pole position early in the race. Teammate and defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen finished second giving him the push to overtake McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in the points board for the world championship.

In probably the worst turn of events for the young Brit, Hamilton finished in unlucky 13th place after a disaster-marred race. Hamilton gave up his 3rd spot in the grid due to a bad start and had to make pit stops after a minor collision with Fernando Alonso. The incident damaged his front wing and had to refit to effectively continue the race.

Hamilton’s teammate, Heikki Kovalainen posted the fastest lap but only finished 5th. Following the Ferraris are the BMW Sauers with Robert Kubica at 3rd and Nick Heidfeld at 4th.

View the race results after the cut.

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My, my, my. I’m still rooting for the young Brit this season, but he better shapes up. His rivals are probably cheering “Karma!” after Hamilton won the F1 season opener in Australia amidst all the car crashes. Now, it’s his turn to crash in Bahrain. At least, for McLaren fans, it’s just in a practice session.

BBC reports: “[Hamilton] appeared to lose traction coming out of a series of swift turns, which led to him locking up and sliding across a run-off area and into the barrier with considerable force.” Another Johnny Walker picture moment as, after a few moments, Hamilton emerged from his wrecked vehicle, unharmed.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen dominated the tracks with Massa posting the quickest lap and Massa posting second.

Source: BBC Sport; Image credit: Associated Press