McLaren have unveiled the car they will be using in this years’ Formula One World Championship.
Named the MCL35, the car has come with a tweaked matte livery, retaining the orange, blue and black combination from the previous few seasons. The slimmer nose section accompanied by the two pronounced ridges toward the front of the car are some of the more noticeable differences between the MCL35 and the previous years’ car.
The MCL35 was unveiled at the McLaren Technology Centre, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andreas Seidl in attendance.
Speaking with Formula1.com, Siedl said “This is an important moment for the entire team,” said Seidl. “Today is another step on our journey. It is important not to be complacent, this will be a tough season. Nothing comes easy in Formula 1 and the competition at the head of the midfield will be intense. We have six days of testing to prepare for the start of the new season and Carlos, Lando and the whole team here at the MTC and at track are ready.”
Also in attendance at the event were team drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
Sainz said of the new car “I’ve followed very closely the making of the MCL35 this winter and I know how much effort and passion we’ve put into it. Many may consider 2020 to be just a gap year between the old and the new regulations, a mere continuation of 2019 into 2021. However, at McLaren, we pushed the ‘reset’ button after the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi and we’ve worked extremely hard to try and improve every single detail of our car.”
“The solid jump forward we made last season was a huge motivation but, at the same time, a strong reminder of how tight the fight continues to be in the midfield. We can’t afford to sit back in 2020 if we want to close the gap to the top.”
After a dismal period for the brand, last years’ MCL34 aided McLaren in achieving fourth place in the manufacturers’ standings – ahead of the works Renault team – and achieved their first podium since the 2014 Australian Grand Prix when Sainz achieved third place at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The MCL35 will make its on-track debut at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in pre-season testing next week.
2020 Formula One car and team launch dates
11 Feb – Ferrari12 Feb – Renault12 Feb – Red Bull13 Feb – McLaren- 14 Feb – AlphaTauri
- 14 Feb – Mercedes
- 17 Feb – Racing Point
- 17 Feb – Williams
- 19 Feb – Haas
- 19 Feb – Alfa Romeo