Woking, England (My Sportsbook) - McLaren will unveil its 2009 car on January 16, the Formula One team confirmed Tuesday. The launching of the new car - the MP4-24 - will take place at the team's technology center.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton became F1's youngest World Champion in November when he finished fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix, clinching the title by only one point over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa.

"I've already had a close look at the new car and the engineers have explained the philosophy behind it and just how different things will be next year," Hamilton said on the team's website. "I've been watching testing with a lot of interest, and I think the new cars will make next year's championship wide open, and I'm really looking forward to tackling the new regulations."

McLaren has already tested several elements of the new car, including F1 rule changes for next year involving slick tires, reduced aerodynamics and the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), a mechanical system that collects energy during braking and converts it to give the car a slight power boost.

At test sessions scheduled later this month at Jerez, Spain and the new Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit in Portugal, McLaren plans to use a 2009-style front wing and other developmental parts before the unveiling of the car next month.

Hamilton's teammate, Heikki Kovalainen, is optimistic about the car and is eager to start the new season.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back in the car after a month out of the cockpit," Kovalainen said. "I'm testing in Jerez and Portimao later this month and then preparing over Christmas for my first taste of the MP4-24. For me, 2009 can't start soon enough, and I'm really looking forward to the beginning. I'm really looking to getting back in the car and understanding how the new regulations will affect the drivers."

McLaren became the third F1 team to confirm a launch date for its 2009 car. Toyota will reveal its TF109 on January 15, while BMW Sauber's will showcase its F1.09 during Valencia testing in Spain on January 20.