The car was revealed in testing at Circuit de Valencia in Spain on 15 January 2007,[2][3] and was driven by double World Champion Fernando Alonso and debutant Lewis Hamilton.

However, a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, combined with the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy, resulted in McLaren losing both championships to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

[4] On 17 January 2007, Fernando Alonso completed a shakedown test in the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, setting the fastest lap time of 1:12.050.

It featured a thin carbon fibre wing that spanned from the top of each end plate, bypassing the nosecone by arching over it.

As part of new FIA rules for the 2008 season which included banning driver aids via the introduction of a standard ECU for all teams, the MP4-22 was the last McLaren Formula One car to use traction control.