McLaren reveals its 2019 challenger

Published on 14 Feb 2019 13:10
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By: Coilin Higgins

McLaren has become the latest team to release its 2019 challenger, today unveiling the MCL34 at its launch held at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. The MCL34 will be the second car to be powered by French manufacturer Renault, after the team split from Honda at the end of 2017.

The car has taken on additional blue from its predecessor, and includes much more sponsoring, including the controversial logos of British American Tobacco, as it launches an initiative with the McLaren team.

McLaren takes on a host of new changes for 2019. Carlos Sainz joins the team from Renault replacing the retiring Fernando Alonso, whilst McLaren junior Lando Norris takes over from Stoffel Vandoorne. Ex-Porsche LMP1 head Andreas Seidl joins in the role of Managing Director within the team for this season.

Adamant that McLaren understand where they went wrong aerodynamically with 2018's MCL33, McLaren CEO Zak Brown spoke at the recent Autosport International Show of how 2019 will be a much better year for the team, and that new drivers Sainz and Norris are already giving good feedback.

"We're anticipating a good car," Brown commented. "The off-season has gone according to plan but you ultimately don't know what the competition has been up to and the competition is only getting tougher."

"All the men and women at McLaren have been working extremely hard to make sure we build a better car than in 2018," Brown added. "I know they wouldn't want to drive last year's car!"

Photos McLaren MCL34

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Replies (9)

xoya

Posts: 462
Looks good. :)
- + 1
- Feb 14 2019 - 16:00
- Fergal Walsh
  
  Posts: 46
  I agree! A strong evolution from last year's design.
  + 1
  
  Feb 14 2019 - 16:25
calle.itw

Posts: 7,503
Much better than last year, from the looks of it. Hardly a favourite, but at least better than Williams.
- + 0
- Feb 14 2019 - 17:48
Kean

Posts: 606
I actually really like the livery. Also lots of complicated details on the nose and barge board area. Very little rake.
- + 0
- Feb 14 2019 - 18:01
boudy

Posts: 1,162
Those side pod air entries are massive compared to RBR. Looks like the Renault needs a lot of fresh air.
- + 0
- Feb 14 2019 - 18:34
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 7,503
  Yeah, I noticed that the Works Renault too have some pretty hefty sidepods, and the Sauber and (I think?) the Haas had some pretty big side intakes too. Sauber also have a pretty big upper inlet.
  + 0
  
  Feb 14 2019 - 19:09
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,067
The best performer of the team over the winter has to be Mr.Brown. Look the no of sponsors on that car. The aero development on the sidepods is the least busy of the cars so far. May be they are holding on to something? or may be there is a scope for newer parts!
- + 0
- Feb 14 2019 - 20:18
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,067
Like the paint job on the car. But, the race dress while trying to incorporate some of the elements of livery, made it look like, driver went ahead and did their business in the pants.
- + 0
- Feb 14 2019 - 20:21
Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,022
Better than last years but like the Williams, just doesn't really look like a tough race car to me.
- + 1
- Feb 14 2019 - 20:59