By alley - Jan 22, 2015, 8:01 AM ET

F1: Alonso will be first to test new McLaren

Fernando Alonso will be the first McLaren driver to sample the team's new Honda-powered MP4-30 when pre-season Formula 1 testing gets under way at Jerez next month.

McLaren confirmed via its Twitter account on Thursday that two-time World Champion Alonso, who rejoins the team after leaving Ferrari, would take the wheel of the new car on days 1 and 3 of the first pre-season test in Spain.

Fellow World Champion Jenson Button will take over driving duties on days 2 and 4 of the test, which begins on February 1.

McLaren has ended a long association with Mercedes to enter a new engine partnership with Honda this season, and during last November's post-season test in Abu Dhabi, ran its 2014 MP4-29 but powered by the Japanese manufacturer's first V6 hybrid turbo F1 engine unit.

The first test of 2015 will reveal whether it has recovered ground lost to persistent electrical problems that plagued Honda's first proper running since it returned to the sport.

McLaren will launch its new challenger online next Thursday (January 29), with Ferrari following one day later.

Williams gave the world

a first glimpse of its new FW37first glimpse of its new FW37

earlier this week, while Force India unveiled its

new 2015 livery and nose design

in Mexico on Wednesday.

Most other teams are expected to reveal their 2015 cars at the Jerez test, with Mercedes and Toro Rosso having already confirmed that they will do so.

F1 2015 LAUNCH DATES TO COME

January 29: McLaren
January 30: Ferrari
January 31: Toro Rosso
February 1: Mercedes
tba: Red Bull, Lotus, Sauber

PRE-SEASON TESTING

February 1-4 Jerez
February 19-22 Barcelona
February 26-March 1 Barcelona

Originally on Autosport.com