First look: McLaren target 'return to competitiveness' with 2019 car
The British team are hoping the MCL34 can get them back up the grid after a lean few years
Zak Brown says the team's new car is the first step in a process to "return McLaren to competitiveness".
The MCL34 was unveiled at the team's Woking HQ on Thursday afternoon by new driver pairing Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr.
Sticking with the distinctive McLaren papaya colour they used last season, the team have added more blue to the design this year.
The jury is out on how much of a looker the car is, but the new, predominantly blue driver overalls are surely the pick of the bunch of those seen so far.
“The MCL34 is the result of an immense amount of hard work and dedication throughout our team," said Brown. "We’re all committed, motivated and united in our ambition to return McLaren to competitiveness, and the MCL34 is only the start of this process.
“We have a fresh driver pairing, who together represent the new generation of Formula 1 talent, and are an integral part of the team and our collective effort to advance McLaren forward.
“The McLaren family is not only our people and our drivers, but also our superb partners and wonderful fans. We have a strong community of partners which continues to grow, and an incredible fanbase, who have all remained loyal and supportive throughout our highs and lows, and I’d like to thank them as we head into the 2019 season.
“As ever, we move fearlessly forward.”
Former Toro Rosso and Renault driver Carlos Sainz Jr joins the team this year in place of fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who has now left F1.
“I’m really looking forward to the tests and excited to finally go racing in McLaren colours," Sainz said. "I know everyone at the factory has been working very hard over the winter to prepare ourselves for this year, and I think the team has done a fantastic job with the livery of the MCL34.
“I’ve been especially focused on my preparations this winter. New training routines, new diet, very specific simulator sessions, and extra time with the engineers to develop and align certain aspects of the car to my preferences.
"The factory has become my second home since I moved back to the UK and everyone in the team is moving in the same direction. We know the big task ahead of us and we first need to evaluate where we are after the tests. From there onwards, I can’t wait to start racing and keep pushing forward together.”
British youngster Lando Norris will make his F1 debut this season, after finishing as runner–up in the F2 championship last year.
The 19-year-old is looking forward to getting the MCL34 on track at the first test in Barcelona next week.
“Next stop, Barcelona! Seriously, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel in testing," he said. "I’ve been working hard over the winter preparing for my step up to F1. I’ve spent a lot of time with the team in the factory too, learning as much as I can to get ready for the 2019 season.
“It’s been my dream to get to Formula 1 since I was a kid. I gained useful experience behind the wheel during practice sessions in 2018, and now I’m really looking forward to making my race debut with McLaren. The MCL34 looks great and now I just want to drive it.”
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Comments (9)
Christ on a bike that looks so poor compared to what Mclaren used to do, i hope they perform better this year but cant see it happening
Last year's simpler livery was much better, IMHO. On the other hand, I really dig the drivers overalls: 20 years of mainly white ones was more than enough, thank you.
As for the car, at least to this armchair specialist, it looks way more sophisticated than the 2018 car: the now almost mandatory Ferrari-style sidepods and the radical bargeboards do look great. Too bad then that the drivers don't show much promise to me: Sainz took a heavy beating by the Hulk at Renault and Norris was a huge disappointment in F2 last year (one win vs Russell's SEVEN...)
I would absolutely love to see McLaren make big strides this season!
look good
And now is when McLaren will REALLY start going faster.