Wraps off the new McLaren challenger
British team is the first to display its 2021 Formula 1 design
McLaren became the first Formula 1 team to unveil its new car for the 2021 season when it presented the MCL35M last week at its Woking headquarters in a livestreamed event.
The team then held a shakedown test for the machine at Silverstone as part of the team’s filming days allocation, with new driver signing Daniel Ricciardo and incumbent
Brit Lando Norris both getting time behind the wheel.
McLaren’s technical boss James Key also confirmed that, despite F1’s current development restrictions, there have been significant revisions from the 2020 car over and above accommodating the Mercedes engine, having switched from Renault power.
“There will be some fresh ideas on there,” Key said. “The front of the car from a regulation point of view hasn’t changed at all, but there are developments that we’re still looking at in those areas as well. And that will continue on into the season.
“It would be naive to think that you could just adapt a bit to the reg changes and move on. Everyone’s going to be pushing.”
Ricciardo also revealed ahead of the launch that his McLaren deal is for three years. “It’s certainly enough time to get this thing going,” Ricciardo said. “I feel I’m coming here with a bunch of momentum behind the team as well, not only results, but I think some really good stability in the team and the infrastructure.”
Norris also has confirmed he is “fully recovered” from the Covid he contracted over the winter while on holiday in Dubai.