McLaren Racing has
unveiled its new MCL34 F1 car ahead of pre-season testing that will kick off in
Barcelona, Spain next week. Like all cars on this year’s Formula 1 grid, the
MCL34 features a plethora of new aerodynamic elements in order to comply with
regulation changes limiting the amount of downforce they can produce. As a
result, the front wing has been simplified and a host of alterations have been
made to the rest of the bodywork.
Changes have also
been made to the car’s livery from last year’s design. Much of it continues to
be painted in McLaren’s signature Papaya Orange, but there are also a number of
blue elements as a nod to the team’s engine supplier Renault.
As important as the
new car is for the team, it is perhaps the two new drivers which will have the
biggest influence on whether or not the British company can claw its way up the
grid.
For the first time
in 12 years, McLaren Racing has an all-new driver line-up with Carlos Sainz and
rookie Lando Norris landing seats. In switching to McLaren, Sainz completes a
move from Renault and, prior to that, Scuderia Toro Rosso. Norris is making his
Formula 1 racing debut this season and despite only being 19 years old, he has
an impressive resume that includes finishing second in last year’s Formula 2
Championship behind George Russell.
