Even if they did go back to the 2012 car there's no guarantee that it will be quicker than the 2013 car once they modify it to suit the 2013 regulations. I know the rules have been pretty stable but there have been changes to things like the exhaust. Will the rear of the 2012 car work with a 2013 spec exhaust? If it doesn't McLaren will have wasted a lot of time on a dead end. I think they'd be better off spending their time making the 2013 car better and if by mid-season the car is still a turd switch development to the 2014 car.

Wasn't the reason they went back to the previous year's car in 2003 because the MP4-18 (I think) couldn't pass the crash tests? It also couldn't turn more than a handful of laps with breaking if I recall correctly. I think Kimi was rather lucky to get so close to the title in 2003 as he only won once compared to Schumi's 6 wins.