McLaren has revealed a surprise early look at the livery it will use during the 2024 Formula 1 season.
McLaren's the first team to hold a 2024 'launch' - although its actual 2024 F1 car launch will take place on February 14, exactly a week before the start of pre-season testing.
The new black (or specifically anthracite) and papaya orange livery removes the blue elements that have featured on every full-time McLaren livery since 2018.
The team says it has incorporated "fan-favourite" elements" of the special 'stealth' livery it used at the Singapore Grand Prix as well as the chrome numbers inspired by its chrome livery from last year's British GP.
Driver Lando Norris said the new livery "looks great" and he's "sure the fans will love it as much as me", while his sophomore team-mate Oscar Piastri described the paint scheme as "really cool".
“The design looks awesome, and I can’t wait to go racing and see it come to life on track next month," McLaren CEO Zak Brown said.
“We didn’t start 2023 as we wanted but Andrea [Stella, team boss] 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."
McLaren pulled off a remarkable turnaround during 2023, progressing from scoring 17 points in the first eight rounds to earning 155 in the next eight after the introduction of a transformative upgrade package.
It did so under the new technical structure that was put in place by team boss Andrea Stella in March 2023.
That new technical structure has now been bolstered by the arrivals of Rob Marshall (ex-Red Bull) and David Sanchez (ex-Ferrari) - who started work in January following a period of gardening leave.
“After a busy and productive off-season, we head into 2024 with our sights set on continuing our journey towards the front of the grid," 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 2024 McLaren, the MCL38, will be the first to benefit from the team's brand-new windtunnel, with development having taken place in it exclusively since last September.
