McLaren sees orange with its MCL33

McLaren had delivered an important message concerning the livery of his car 2018 at the start of the week. By calling on cars from the 1960s, the return to the “papaya” orange hue was more anticipated than ever. Impression confirmed Friday morning, at the time of revealing the MCL33 that will be shared Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.

The contender of the English team for the 2018 season F1 makes another reminder of its glorious history with the electric blue painted on the front and rear spoiler as well as on the edge of the engine hood. McLaren used this color just 50 years ago, in 1968.

Éric Boullier, Director of McLaren Racing, expresses “a pride on the part of the whole team about this car. » “The design, aero and engine departments have done a remarkable job to build a new F1 with a new engine package (Renault) within a very short time frame. We have never taken an easy path or looked for a shortcut; the result is a very well cared for car. »

The French boss, however, has no illusions about the task that awaits the team from Woking (Great Britain), 9th in the Manufacturers' ranking in 2017. “It will be difficult to break the hegemony at the front of the peloton; the mid-table will be very competitive with many experienced players. We are humbled by the challenge ahead, but I feel we have prepared well. »

From a technical angle, the MCL33 is “a logical evolution of the previous single-seater”. Chief technical manager, Tim Goss, concedes that the arrival of the Renault power unit was “the biggest change for 2018.” “The architecture of the block is very different (compared to the Honda). The aero package is also simpler and sleeker. This has always been a favorite area for us. But this year, we went further to imagine a finer package solution. This gives the aerodynamicists more room to play with the bodywork”, he says.

>>> Photos of the McLaren MCL33 <<