The off-season for Formula 1 is one of the toughest times for any die-hard racing fan. Withdrawal symptoms can only be combated by endless repeats of last year, digesting mindless top 10 articles and indulging in baseless speculation. Thank goodness that McLaren is set to break the fast with the live reveal of its MCL35M.
You can watch the dawn of the 2021 season live right here via the video player below. Tune in at 7PM GMT to watch the birth of McLaren’s winter efforts.
Is it really a new car?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every industry around the world, even the monied environment of F1. As a result of delays and the cost of the virus to businesses, teams decided last year to largely carry over existing machinery and push back a dramatic rule change to 2022. However, keep an eye out for some small but significant changes to the cars.
New aerodynamic restrictions have been put in place to slash downforce levels versus last year. Take a close look at the car’s floor ahead of the rear wheel and notice that a chunk is missing. Reducing the surface area dramatically impacts the car’s ability to stick itself to the Tarmac. It’s the same story for the diffuser at the rear and various fins as each component has been shrunk for 2021.
This lost downforce will have to be recovered elsewhere, something that has contributed to as many parts being developed for the upgraded MCL35M as its bespoke forefather.
Mercedes power
McLaren have gone through a string of engine suppliers of late with no love lost. Its modern Honda years were a real pit of misery with blame for under performance apportioned to both sides. Most recently its Renault power unit has seen pace regained, however, the car still resides in the midfield.
The British F1 team will return to Mercedes power in the hope of propelling itself onto the podium. McLaren and Mercedes enjoyed a 20 season partnership before the two parted company in 2014. Since then the Merc hybrid power unit has been dominant, leading to McLaren wanting to rekindle the relationship.
The MCL35 has required extensive modification to accommodate the Mercedes V6, hence the ‘M’ in its model designation.
A new face
Undoubtably one of the biggest acts of the evening will be seeing new McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo in orange. He joins from Renault after two seasons on a lucrative contract – clearly he wasn’t happy in the French team. His pace and experience will be huge asset to McLaren as they transition into the big 2022 shakeup.
While Lando Norris has been at the team longer, the young British driver will need to assert himself from early on if he hopes to be McLaren’s star pilot.
Lots of orange
The famed papaya orange of Bruce McLaren’s team will remain for 2021, something that will please fans. This shade has plenty of historical relevance to McLaren, but it also fits well with one of the teams key sponsors, Gulf Oil.
McLaren’s strong performance in 2020 should have helped the team attract more sponsors for this year, so keep a lookout for new branding on the MCL35M.
Keyword: What to expect from the live 2021 McLaren F1 car reveal