Jan.17 (GMM) McLaren has cleared up a burning question about the reason for its launch in the German capital this year.

While most of the sport's media wondered solely about why the MP4-26 is being revealed after the first group test, another intrigue has surrounded the reason for its launch in Berlin.

The British team announced last week that the car will only be seen for the first time on February 4 at the plush Kaisersaal venue, with invited media to be chartered free of charge from London.

Following a period of uncertainty and speculation about the reasons for the Berlin launch, engineering director Paddy Lowe explained: "It's at the request of Vodafone."

London-based telecommunications giant Vodafone is McLaren's title sponsor.

Added Lowe: "They want to launch in Berlin as part of Vodafone Germany operations."

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