Lewis Hamilton, McLaren F1 team principal Martin Whitmarsh and Jenson Button at the launch of the McLaren MP4-26 in Berlin [Picture courtesy of www.mclaren.com]

VODAFONE McLaren Mercedes launch today (Wednesday) the 2012 Formula 1 challenger Lewis Hamilton will drive this season.

Lewis Hamilton and McLaren F1 team-mate Jenson Button at the launch of the McLaren MP4-26 in Berlin [Picture courtesy of www.mclaren.com]

The MP4-27 will be unveiled by Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button this morning at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey.

F1 fans can watch live the technical launch of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes contender on www.mclaren.com – click on the link above right.

McLaren will be showing streamed coverage of the event from 11am GMT on the team’s official website.

Motor racing fanatics can also catch a first glimpse of the MP4-27 via McLaren’s Facebook page at facebook.com/vodafonemclarenmercedes – click on the team’s Facebook link above right.

Former F1 world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton with Martin Whitmarsh at the McLaren MP4-26 car launch in Berlin last year [Picture courtesy of www.mclaren.com]

Button, Hertfordshire-born F1 driver Hamilton and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh will be among those giving their thoughts on the new car during Q&A sessions at MTC ahead of the forthcoming season, which starts in Australia on March 16.

Last year’s MP4-26 launch with 2008 F1 world champion Hamilton and Button took place in Berlin, Germany.

Hamilton, who celebrated his 27th birthday last month, will get his first chance to test drive the car he hopes will beat Red Bull this season at Jerez, in Spain, from February 7-10.

He is provisionally due to get behind the wheel on the final two days of pre-season testing in Jerez.

However, bookies William Hill make Red Bull’s double world champion Sebastian Vettel even money favourite for the 2012 drivers’ title.

Ferrari hero Fernando Alonso and Hamilton are both priced 5/1, with Button, runner-up in 2010, a 7/1 contender.

Red Bull are 10/11 favourites for the constructors’ championship with McLaren 13/8.