McLaren continues to build hype ahead of the 2024 season.
Just yesterday, the team posted a short trailer-style promotional video, where they touched on defying expectations with their 2023 mid-season comeback, showcasing its dedicated fans and employees, and unveiling a new slogan for the 2024 season: Whatever It Takes.
Now, the team has revealed a surprise early look at the livery designed for the 2024 season. However, McLaren fans will have to wait a little bit longer for the actual car launch, as that is set to take place on February 14th.
Photo credit: McLaren Racing
The new livery features a bold black and papaya orange colour scheme; gone are the blue accents that were present in earlier years. Some 2023 influences can also be seen, as McLaren opted to incorporate elements of their “stealth” livery from the Singapore Grand Prix, along with chrome accents (visible on the drivers’ numbers) from a special throwback livery they ran at Silverstone.
The key figures at McLaren—that is, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown—gave their verdict on the new livery, saying it looks “great” and “really cool.”
This core four remains unchanged for the upcoming season, having proven to be a formidable team. Meanwhile, the technical team is set to be boosted by new arrivals, including Rob Marshall (Technical Director, Engineering & Design) and David Sanchez (Technical Director, Car Concept & Performance), the latter returning to the Woking-based team from Ferrari.
Peter Prodromou remains on as Aerodynamics Technical Director, with Neil Houldey in the role of Deputy Technical Director (Engineering and Design).
“We’re delighted to launch our 2024 Formula 1 livery ahead of the new season,” announced Zak Brown on the occasion of the livery reveal.
“The design looks awesome, and I can’t wait to go racing and see it come to life on track next month.
Photo credit: McLaren Racing
“We didn’t start 2023 as we wanted but Andrea and the team did a great job following the organisational restructure coming into action, and the hard work continues as we carry that excellent momentum into the 2024 campaign.
He also praised McLaren’s young driver duo, saying: “I’m confident the exciting pairing of Lando and Oscar will continue to create more mega memories together after such an impressive second half of last year which saw the team finish fourth in the championship with 302 points.”
Brown went on to highlight the ambition to compete at the front of the grid in the coming season.
Andrea Stella added: “Last year allowed the team to set a strong foundation for the future through continued hard work, commitment, effort and talent.
“With our new infrastructure upgrades and people in place, we must continue to elevate our standards and incorporate high performance in everything we do.
“The support of our commercial partners and incredible fans will play an important part as we continue to remain united together as a team throughout the upcoming season.
“We still have a lot of work to do before we hit the track for the first race in Bahrain, but we’re all focused on delivering against our objectives and starting the season on the right footing.”
Photo credit: McLaren Racing
Drivers Norris and Piastri were also featured in the team’s press release.
Norris expressed his excitement for the season ahead, saying, “I’m looking forward to the new season ahead, it will be my sixth in Formula 1 and I’m hoping to carry the momentum we gained as a team at the end of last season to hit the ground running in Bahrain.
“(…) Everyone at the factory has worked incredibly hard in the off season, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the 2024 car to challenge our competitors towards the front of the grid.”
“I’m looking forward to racing in the iconic colours of McLaren for a second season,” added Piastri, who was crowned Rookie of the Year 2023 after his promising F1 debut with the team.
“I made some special memories with the team in my rookie year, securing two podiums and a Sprint win.
“I’m going to work hard alongside the whole team to take those results into the start of the new season and compete well with our competitors to give the fans more memorable moments.”
