McLaren has revealed its new car for the 2024 Formula 1 season, the MCL38, one month after sharing initial images of its updated livery. The team chose to be the first on the grid to showcase the design that will adorn its two cars before the official launch. McLaren has kept the classic papaya color that it reintroduced in 2017, along with a shade described as anthracite, and added chrome accents. The team aims to build on its impressive performance last season, where it went from struggling to score points to consistently competing at the front. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri achieved nine podium finishes, helping McLaren outscore every team except Red Bull with their revamped MCL60 car. With a total of 302 points, McLaren surpassed Aston Martin to secure fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, making it their strongest season since 2012. Norris, who recently extended his contract, enters his sixth year with McLaren, while Piastri, who is signed until 2026, begins his second season. Andrea Stella continues as Team Principal after a successful debut season, with the technical structure beneath him now in place. Rob Marshall and David Sanchez joined McLaren from Red Bull and Ferrari, respectively, at the start of the year, taking on the roles of Engineering & Design Technical Director and Car Concept & Performance Technical Director. They work alongside Aerodynamics Technical Director Peter Prodromou, all reporting directly to Stella. Stella expressed the team’s excitement about the MCL38 and its debut on the track, acknowledging the progress made by other teams in developing their 2024 cars. He emphasized the importance of the team’s infrastructure, personnel, and culture in their continued progress and return to the front of the grid. Before competitive sessions begin, McLaren will put the MCL38 through its paces during the Bahrain pre-season test. Stella commended the team’s efforts over the winter and expressed confidence in their ability to start the season strongly. However, he acknowledged that there are still areas to address and improve upon, which will become the focus of their in-season development. Stella thanked the entire team, both trackside and at the McLaren Technology Centre and McLaren Racing Centre, for their hard work in ensuring the car was ready for its track debut. He also expressed gratitude to their partners at Mercedes HPP for their ongoing collaboration. With the car now revealed, McLaren shifts its attention to the upcoming season and looks forward to the Bahrain Testing next week.
McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, expressed his excitement about the launch of their new car, the MCL38, at Silverstone. The team has put in a lot of hard work and dedication to bring the car to the track in its 2024 livery. Brown also acknowledged the competitiveness of the sport and the need to remain realistic, as every team has made progress during the off season. The true test of McLaren’s progress will come during qualifying in Bahrain.
The British team’s latest creation will make its debut on the track at Silverstone for a promotional filming day. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will share the driving duties. Norris is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the MCL38 and seeing how it performs. He has confidence in the team and believes they will continue to make progress from last season. However, the true test of their progress will come during testing, qualifying, and racing in Bahrain.
Norris has been putting in a lot of work on the simulator with his engineering team to ensure they are fully prepared for the upcoming races. He expressed his gratitude to everyone at the trackside and the factory for their efforts in getting the team to this point. Piastri also shared his excitement about driving the MCL38 for the first time and seeing it in its new livery. He acknowledged that they won’t know their competitiveness until they start racing in Bahrain, but they have been preparing as best as they can.
Both drivers are looking forward to the next few weeks leading into a busy year and are grateful for the team’s preparations for the 2024 season. They are excited to kick off their second season in F1.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com