Full of ambitions.
Now powered by Mercedes, the McLaren team was the first to unveil its single-seater for the 2021 season. In addition to the Renault engine swapped for a power unit supplied by Mercedes, the MCL35M, a direct evolution of the MCL35, presents some new features at the chassis level as well as at the rear of the car, where the aerodynamic rules have been relaxed to encourage overtaking.
"We are trying to close the gap with the Mercedes team, which we expect will be the fastest again this year," said CEO Zack Brown from the team's headquarters in Woking.
“Equipped with an engine capable of winning championships, the car has its share of interesting changes,” continued Andreas Seidl, the team principal.
"It's very complicated to develop a car in times of Covid," admitted Zack Brown, "I would like to salute the 850 people who worked day and night, doing a spectacular job."
Work carried out within the constraints imposed by the freezing of a large majority of technical developments, postponed to 2022 in the context of a pandemic.
Isn't it beautiful?
Time for a closer look at the # MCL35M.
pic.twitter.com/0n1qy7qFWG
- McLaren (@ McLarenF1) February 15, 2021
Ricciardo arrives with "the ambition to be on the podium again"
Gathered on the sidelines of the presentation, the two drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo had actually discovered the orange and blue single-seater on Sunday evening.
“It's always special to join a new team,” said the Australian.
But seeing the car for the first time, with its name, is all the more special. ”
Renault defector, Ricciardo will quickly have the opportunity to discover the MCL35M at Silverstone, where a promotional shoot is scheduled for Tuesday.
"I always feel more motivated to give myself 100% for this new Formula 1 season," he added.
I have the feeling that my determination has increased tenfold after gaining more experience.
I can't wait to start this new chapter in my career. ”
By joining the British team, brilliant third in the constructors' championship last year, Daniel Ricciardo (31), who unveiled a new helmet on his social networks on Sunday evening, expressed "the ambition to still be on the podium », After his two third places acquired with Renault in 2020 (Eifel, Emilie-Romagne).
ALL GOOD / ALL WAYS.
2021 helmet.
pic.twitter.com/qLaBw0Z4wN
- Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) February 14, 2021
By signing with McLaren for three seasons, the former Red Bull driver will team up with Lando Norris (21), the titular British prodigy since 2019. “The best association of Formula 1 drivers,” smiled their boss Zack Brown.
The two men, obviously already accomplices, will make their first official runs during the winter testing in Bahrain from March 12 to 14.
In the meantime, the presentation ball of the nine other stables on the grid will take care of filling the calendar until the first Grand Prix weekend, from March 26 to 28, still in Bahrain.
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