Ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season, McLaren have launched their latest machine in the hope of getting back to the front of the grid in the coming campaign – The MCL36.
McLaren eventually finished fourth in the 2021 Constructors Championship, but that was after a tough battle with Ferrari. Though the Woking based team did celebrate victory, and 1-2 at Monza when Daniel Ricciardo took the chequered flag ahead of Lando Norris.
“I’m delighted to see us launch all three McLaren Racing programmes across the Formula 1, IndyCar and Extreme E championships today,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said.
“This is a first for us as a team, and in the wider world of motorsport, and it’s been fantastic to see how excited the fans have been as they get ready to join us on the next part of our journey.
“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.
“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.”
Founding colours
The McLaren MCL36 will again be papaya which was the colour first carried in the 1960s with team founder Bruce McLaren, and is now accented by a new blue. The new McLaren car will take to the track at the first test in Barcelona ahead of the 2022 F1 season.
Optimism ahead of 2022
Both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo were optimistic ahead of the 2022 F1 season, with McLaren looking to build on their relatively successful 2021 campaign.
“Last year was my best in Formula 1 so far, and I’m really proud of what I achieved as a driver, and what we achieved as a team,” Norris said.
“But I know that the best is yet to come, and my aim is to carry the positive momentum we built up over the last year and take that with me into this exciting new era of Formula 1.
“I’m in a good position heading into this year to build on the successes of 2021. I’ve grown up alongside McLaren and I’m really delighted to have recently confirmed my long-term future with the team. Together, I’m looking forward to finding out what we can achieve, and I’ll be working hard to maximise any opportunities that come our way.”
Meanwhile, Ricciardo, who goes into his second year with McLaren is hopeful his experience in F1, will help him get to grips with the new regulations faster.
“There’s always a nervous excitement around the start of the new season, but that’s turned up to 11 when you enter a new era of regulations,” Ricciardo said.
“Having been through several regulation changes now, I feel like I’m able to use that energy to help me adapt to new cars, new ways of driving and ultimately new ways of racing.
“These new cars will feel very different to the previous eras I’ve driven, but I’m hopeful that will come with closer racing and more opportunities to get to the front of the pack.”
