McLaren have unveiled their new McLaren MCL36 car which will be driven by Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo in 2022 F1 season.
The new car again sports a predominantly orange livery but the Fluro Papaya patches are now more brightly retro, complete with an accent of New Blue in a nod to the retro Gulf Oil livery that McLaren sported during 2021 Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
Other changes to the car includes a a more sloped rear wing, rectangular sloped front nose complete with a rounded end plus fairing winglets across the front tyres, as the return of ground-effect aerodynamics changes the philosophy of car design this season.
Speaking to co-host Karun Chandhok prior to the unveiling of the car, Norris warned that this season represents a “new opportunity” for drivers to show their skills, as he predicted a need to tweak “driving styles” whilst working with engineers in a “development race” this season.
Once the car was unveiled, Norris added that he “loves” the new MCL36 in the full physical flesh, after previously viewing the original drawings prior to the 12 month delay due to Coronavirus which saw the new technical regulations delayed from 2021 to 2022.
Ricciardo meanwhile was bullish to host, Natalie Pinkham about the season due to pre-season car launches being largely about words, as he commented: “I am looking forward to it. It’s February so there is so much talking about it and like urgh yeah but I just want to get their and like action.”
The Australian driver however cheered up upon first viewing of the MCL36 as he hailed it as “vibrant” and “awesome”, although he is more “pleased” by how good-looking the car is prior to hitting the racetrack.
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown meanwhile is striving for “great progress” with the new car which he believes “represents a real opportunity” to push for more podiums and race victories, following a strong 2021 season in which Norris scored four podiums and Ricciardo won in Italy.
McLaren Team Principal, Andreas Seidl echoed Brown’s thoughts as he iterated that the team’s aim is to continue to “close the gap to the front of the pack”, whilst respecting “tough competition” from other teams this season.
McLaren’s Technical Director, James Keys meanwhile described the new regulations as “an exciting moment” which led to a re-evaluation of the car’s philosophy, yet iterated that the team are only just at the start of unlocking performance and development this season.
On the topic of ground-effect aerodynamics, Keys added: “It’s been some time since ground-effect had such a predominant role in Formula 1, but it provides a great potential to create closer and more exciting racing with these new regulations.”
Norris and Ricciardo will drive the car for the first time in 2022 pre-season testing in Barcelona, Spain between 23-25 February, with the former having already committed his future to McLaren until end of 2025 season.
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