Mclaren Media Centre

F1 News

First presentation coming up! What can we expect from the new McLaren?

15 February 2021 at 07:30
  • GPblog.com

McLaren will be the first F1 team to present their new car for 2021 this Monday. This kicks off the season with perhaps the most interesting car to follow during the winter test. Unlike most of their competitors, they have built a largely new car in Woking.

That the car is based on the 2020 car is clear from the name the team has given it. The MCL35M, with the emphasis on the last letter added to the name. It stands for 'Mercedes'. With that engine, they hope to remain at least the third team, and perhaps even make things difficult for Mercedes and Red Bull Racing in some races.

However, to fit the Mercedes engine into last year's chassis, many parts had to be replaced. In fact, the team has already indicated that this car has as many new parts as the car they started with last year. So, when the car is unveiled, we should take a good look at the rear to see differences with last season.

More blue or black at McLaren?

Of course, the most eye-catching feature of McLaren is the orange colour they have been driving around with in recent years. Papaya, as it is also called. We can say with almost one hundred percent certainty that this colour will reappear on the car in 2021. It is the traditional colour of McLaren and Zak Brown has designed his entire marketing strategy around it.

However, there are two colours that might be more prominent this season. Firstly, there is the blue that McLaren used last season. Earlier images of the paint used for the new car gave the impression that blue will be prominent in the new livery. The abundance of blue in the team clothing suggests the same.

Finally, there is speculation on social media about the colour black. Because of their new relationship with Mercedes, McLaren would like to include some of the black in their livery. A choice for more black would also fit well with the livery used in the IndyCar.

The launch of the new car can be followed live from 19:00 on the official website of McLaren.