Alonso doesn't know what colour his McLaren is

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has admitted that he isn't sure what colour his new car is amidst speculation that it could be orange. He is also not concerned about the colour, hoping only for a fast competitor.

There have been plenty of hints on social media pointing towards an orange livery, and with the team changing the car name from MP4/32 to MCL32 due to the departure of Ron Dennis, they could bring in an orange livery, something Dennis has been opposed to in the modern era. Dennis was also the mastermind behind the MP4/x concept, when he merged his Formula 2 team with McLaren.

"I do not know, what I've read is that it may be something orange, black, white," Alonso said. "I asked Eric Boullier the question with the excuse of the decoration for my helmet and he said, 'you'll see in the presentation'. I hope what it is, is fast, the colour is not the most important thing."

McLaren will enter their third year in partnership with Honda this year and while they have struggled, they have been making progress, with many fans hoping to see the team win again soon. Executive director Zak Brown has said that McLaren won't win in 2017, but Alonso thinks it is too early to make predictions.

"I think we have to be cautious, I have that read Zak [Brown] said that this year it will be difficult to win, well… who knows?  I'm keeping a positive mind. I'm better than ever, I'm preparing as never and I'm going to go for it and who knows what will really happen, I'm going to do it all. 

"Be careful, the last races last year we were a second or second and a half off Mercedes so we must be cautious. We will see at the end but it's too early to make predictions."

McLaren are set to unveil their car on Friday 24th February, just days before pre-season gets underway.

Fergal Walsh

They could pretty much have anything as it stands. I dont hope they will sport an orange colour, but thats just me. Others think they could return to a white and red livery, or maybe a BP/Castrol livery, but I dont think thats likely. But like Alonso says, as long as its fast, I dont mind.

  • 1
  • Feb 11 2017 - 12:07

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • They could pretty much have anything as it stands. I dont hope they will sport an orange colour, but thats just me. Others think they could return to a white and red livery, or maybe a BP/Castrol livery, but I dont think thats likely. But like Alonso says, as long as its fast, I dont mind.

    • + 1
    • Feb 11 2017 - 12:07
    • Kevin

      Posts: 5,391

      Agreed. I am not a fan of an orange car, but if it performs I can't care less. With the new regulations, any of the top teams can come out on top.

      • + 1
      • Feb 11 2017 - 13:45
    • That's the thing, Mclaren is no longer a top team it's an IP that's waiting to be sliced up and sold to the highest bid.

      • + 0
      • Feb 12 2017 - 14:14
  • Being a long time F1 follower (aka OLD!) I would be happy to see some papaya orange as a tip of the hat to the team founder & namesake, Bruce McLaren! Doesn't have to be the whole car either, some highlights would be ok.

    • + 1
    • Feb 11 2017 - 23:07

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar