McLaren has unveiled its 2025 Formula 1 car, the MCL39, during a promotional event at Silverstone, becoming the first team to take to the track with their new challenger this season.
Sporting a distinctive geometric camouflage livery of papaya and black, the MCL39 made its track debut with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sharing the wheel. The car's full race livery will be revealed at the upcoming F1 75 Live event, set for February 18, 2025.
McLaren, which clinched its first Constructors' Championship title since 1998 last season, is eager to defend its title this year. The excitement surrounding the MCL39 is palpable, as both Norris and Piastri hope to lead the team to success, with aspirations reaching for the drivers' championship as well.
This event marks the beginning of what McLaren hopes will be another competitive season, and the team is well aware of the challenges. The commitment and enthusiasm from both drivers were evident as they took turns around the circuit, with Norris commenting, "It’s exciting to hop in the MCL39 for the first time and see what it can do on track, ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain."
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, expressed significant optimism about the upcoming season, stating, "Today is a big milestone in our fight for the 2025 title. It’s great to get our championship challenger, the MCL39, on track for the first time and to launch the culmination of the team’s hard work." He, along with Team Principal Andrea Stella, acknowledged the highly competitive nature of the Formula 1 grid as they prepare for this year.
Stella echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for focus to compete at the front of the pack. "While we finished last year as champions, 2024 highlighted how highly competitive the grid is, which is something we will carry through to this year’s championship,” he said.
Looking back at its history, McLaren’s last drivers’ title came with Lewis Hamilton back in 2008, and Norris aims to add another championship to the team’s illustrious history. Having finished second to Max Verstappen last season, Norris remarked on the competitiveness of the upcoming season: "This year will be more competitive than ever, so we’ve got a lot to do to be able to retain our Constructors' title and go for the Drivers’ Championship as well.”
With the MCL39's design incorporating lessons learned from last season’s title-winning MCL38, McLaren has made strides to improve competitiveness. Brown added, “Last year highlighted just how much the grid has closed up, which is brilliant for the sport. We believe we have made steps forward since the championship-winning MCL38, but we won’t know where we sit until we get to the qualifying sessions.”
Pre-season testing will kick off shortly, providing McLaren another opportunity to fine-tune the MCL39 before racing begins. The first race of the 2025 season is scheduled for March 16, 2025, at the Australian Grand Prix, Piastri’s home race.
All eyes will be on McLaren as they aim to build on last year’s success and push toward both championships. Norris and Piastri will continue to drive the team forward, motivated by the taste of success from their previous season.
They are poised for what promises to be another thrilling chapter for McLaren Racing as they navigate the challenges of the 2025 F1 season.