The team launched its new challenger, the MCL36, in an online event at its Woking base on Friday evening, with both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo on hand to help unveil its 2022 contender.
The MCL36 features a bold livery evolution of its predecessor, consisting of ‘fluro papaya’ and blue colour scheme, as well as more black.
McLaren is the fourth team to have launched its 2022 car. Last week, Haas released digital renders of an early design of its VF-22, while Red Bull presented its RB18 using a show car on Wednesday, one day before Aston Martin became the first team to showcase a physical car with the launch of the AMR22.
Like Aston Martin, McLaren also launched a genuine car that it will take to the opening pre-season test at Barcelona between February 23-25.
Earlier this week, McLaren announced that Norris had committed his future to the British squad with a contract extension that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2025, underlining his faith in its project to return to winning ways.
After finishing third in the 2020 constructors’ championship, McLaren held third place for much of last year, before ultimately slipping behind arch-rival Ferrari to fourth in the teams’ standings.
However, McLaren’s positive upward trajectory continued as the team finally ended its F1 victory drought.
Ricciardo led Norris across the line to seal the only one-two finish of 2021 at the Italian Grand Prix, handing McLaren its first race win since 2012.
And McLaren is aiming to build on that progress this season as it looks to lay the foundations for a championship challenge in the coming years.
McLaren hope F1’s huge rules overhaul will help boost its competitiveness, while major infrastructure improvements, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, are in the pipeline.
“Our Formula 1 team continues to make great progress year-on-year with Andreas Seidl at the helm, and this new era of regulations represents a real opportunity for the team,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.
“I’m excited to see Lando and Daniel get behind the wheel of the MCL36 and take it to the competition this year. Lando made great progress in 2021, scoring four podiums, and Daniel’s sensational victory in Monza reminded the team what it feels like to win again.
"As we head into 2022, we’re looking to build on that progress and further close the gap to the teams at the front.”
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