McLaren has revealed the MCL34, aiming to move them back to the front of the F1 grid in 2019, as confirmed by Zak Brown, CEO of the company:

“The MCL34 is the result of an immense amount of hard work and dedication throughout our team. We’re all committed, motivated and united in our ambition to return McLaren to competitiveness, and the MCL34 is only the start of this process.  

“We have a fresh driver pairing, who together represent the new generation of Formula 1 talent, and are an integral part of the team and our collective effort to advance McLaren forward.

“The McLaren family is not only our people and our drivers, but also our superb partners and wonderful fans. We have a strong community of partners which continues to grow, and an incredible fanbase, who have all remained loyal and supportive throughout our highs and lows, and I’d like to thank them as we head into the 2019 season. 

“As ever, we move fearlessly forward.”

The car represents the start of the post-Fernando Alonso era, with the first all-new Formula 1 driver line up in 12 years, starring Carlos Sainz (24) and Lando Norris (19), at his first Formula 1 season. The Spanish driver, at his fifth F1 season, has remarked he is impatient to start driving the new car, underlining how he has changed his pre-season schedule to prepare for his new experience at McLaren:

“I’m really looking forward to the tests and excited to finally go racing in McLaren colours. I know everyone at the factory has been working very hard over the winter to prepare ourselves for this year, and I think the team has done a fantastic job with the livery of the MCL34.

“I’ve been especially focused on my preparations this winter. New training routines, new diet, very specific simulator sessions, and extra time with the engineers to develop and align certain aspects of the car to my preferences. The factory has become my second home since I moved back to the UK and everyone in the team is moving in the same direction. We know the big task ahead of us and we first need to evaluate where we are after the tests. From there onwards, I can’t wait to start racing and keep pushing forward together.”

Similarly, Lando Norris has evidenced how intensely he has been involved in the development of the new car over the last months, being excited for his debut in Formula 1:

“Next stop, Barcelona! Seriously, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel in testing. I’ve been working hard over the winter preparing for my step up to F1. I’ve spent a lot of time with the team in the factory too, learning as much as I can to get ready for the 2019 season”.

“It’s been my dream to get to Formula 1 since I was a kid. I gained useful experience behind the wheel during practice sessions in 2018, and now I’m really looking forward to making my race debut with McLaren. The MCL34 looks great and now I just want to drive it.”

The MCL34 continues with the papaya-orange livery, recalling the historic colours chosen by Bruce Mclaren for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix entry in 1966, while the engineering concept and design focuses on laying the foundations for the development of the car through the 2019 season.

The new car will debut on track during pre-season testing at Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain (18-21 February & 26 February - 1 March), with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris behind the wheels of the MCL34.