The Woking-based McLaren workforce have change into the newest F1 workforce to tug the covers off their new F1 automobile with the British squad displaying its brand-new MCL38 only a week forward of the official pre-season testing.
McLaren have revealed the small print of its brand-new automobile, the MCL38 with which the workforce needs to proceed its upward trajectory it began final 12 months. 2023 noticed the British outfit kick off its season with an uncompetitive automobile, however early upgrades helped the workforce elevate its efficiency and considerably cut back the hole to field-leading Crimson Bull.
Their upgraded 2023 F1 automobile noticed the workforce clinch a dash victory in Qatar courtesy of Oscar Piastri whereas his team-mate Lando Norris secured seven podium finishes.
McLaren will compete within the 2024 F1 season with an unchanged driver line-up after Norris signed a contract extension with the Woking-based squad on the finish of January whereas Piastri is ready to finish his second season on the pinnacle of motorsport.
McLaren’s on-line presentation will probably be adopted by a shakedown with the MCL38 at Silverstone on Wednesday.
“It’s nice to see our new automobile in its 2024 livery on observe and see the arduous work and dedication of the workforce come collectively,” mentioned McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.
“The beauty of this sport is how aggressive it’s, and subsequently we should stay life like as each workforce can have made progress within the off season. The true take a look at of whether or not we’ve made steps in the correct path will probably be qualifying in Bahrain.
“We’re all excited to go racing once more, however we all know there’s a protracted season forward of us and quite a lot of work nonetheless to do to make sure we construct on the progress we made all through 2023.”
Stella added: “Going into this 12 months, we glance to construct on the momentum of final season however are life like within the data that each workforce can have made progress and located competitiveness for his or her 2024 automobiles.
“We now have every thing in place from an infrastructure, individuals and tradition perspective so we proceed to push ahead and construct on the work accomplished to get us again to entrance of the grid.
“Earlier than we hit the observe for aggressive classes, we now have quite a lot of work to do, together with placing the MCL38 by way of its paces throughout the Bahrain pre-season take a look at. The workforce has accomplished a superb job over the winter, and we’re assured we will hit the bottom working, however we all know we now have essential duties at hand earlier than the season begins.
“There are a variety of improvements on the automobile, however not all of the areas we wish to handle have been accomplished for our launch-spec automobile. These areas now change into the main focus of our in-season growth, which is already in progress.”
OUR 2024 CHALLENGER. 🤩 Presenting the #MCL38! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/92bFXbLSmb
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 14, 2024
Increasing on his new automobile, Norris mentioned: “I’m excited to get behind the wheel of the MCL38 and see the way it runs. The livery appears nice on the brand new automobile, so it’s enjoyable to have the ability to get out on observe in the present day.
“I’m wanting ahead to shaking the automobile down in Bahrain. I’ve full confidence within the workforce that we’ll proceed pushing ahead off the again of the turnaround final season. Nevertheless, the true take a look at of our progress is arising once we put the automobile by way of its paces in testing, forward of then qualifying and racing for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“Over the previous few weeks, I’ve been again on the MTC placing quite a lot of work in on the simulator with my engineering workforce to make sure that we’re totally ready forward of subsequent week. Thanks to everybody trackside and on the manufacturing facility for his or her work to get us so far. I’m excited to get to Bahrain and go racing once more.”
Talking of McLaren’s new automobile forward of his second season in System One, Piastri added: “It’s nice to have the ability to drive the MCL38 on observe for the primary time in the present day. It’s an essential milestone in our growth for the 12 months and I’m excited to see it on observe in its new livery.
“We gained’t know the place we stand when it comes to competitiveness till we go racing in Bahrain, however we’ve been making ready as finest as we presumably can by spending time within the simulator, working intently with everybody who’s designed, constructed and can run the automobile to make sure we’re prepared to begin strongly.
“I’m wanting ahead to the subsequent few weeks main right into a busy 12 months. A large thanks to the workforce for every thing they’ve accomplished thus far to arrange us for 2024. I’m actually excited to correctly kick off my second season in F1.”
F1