 Development of the McLaren MP4 @-@ 30 started with the McLaren MP4 @-@ <unk> / <unk> , a variation of the MP4 @-@ 29 that was developed to test the new engine . The car made appearances at test sessions at the Silverstone and Yas Marina Circuits , where it was driven by McLaren 's testing and development driver Stoffel Vandoorne . The testing programme of the MP4 @-@ <unk> / <unk> was limited by technical problems with the engine that prevented significant running and the chassis was shelved following its appearance at Yas Marina , with the team carrying the engine over to the MP4 @-@ 30 chassis ahead of the first pre @-@ season test of the 2015 season at Jerez de la Frontera . The car was the first of the 2015 entries to pass its mandatory crash tests , getting final approval from the FIA in December 2014 . 
