McLaren Racing unveiled the team’s new driver line-up to a global live audience today ahead of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
21-year-old Lando Norris is starting his third season in Formula 1 with McLaren, after a breakout season in 2020 in which the Briton reached his first F1 podium. In 2021 Norris will be joined by seven-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo, 31, from Australia.
In 2020, the team climbed to third place in the FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship, amid stiff competition from a crowded midfield and the logistical challenges of an adjusted season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The intense rivalry between the teams is expected to continue until 2021 as the technical regulations remain stable, competition between teams intensifies and financial regulations come into effect to provide a sustainable platform for the future of the sport.
In addition to its new driver line-up, the team gave a first look at the McLaren MCL35M, the team’s racing car for 2021. The MCL35M is a further development of the competitor MCL35 from 2020 and benefits from the team’s aerodynamic and chassis developments throughout the winter. This development is accompanied by the introduction of a new unit from Mercedes-AMG. The Mercedes-AMG M12 E Performance was integrated into the design of the MCL35M by McLaren with the support of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains and represents one of several significant changes to the vehicle as part of its further development into the MCL35M.
The fan-favorite paint job of the MCL35M has seen a subtle evolution of the 2020 design, retaining the iconic McLaren papaya orange and blue, the popular colors the team first wore in the 1960s with team founder Bruce McLaren at the wheel.
The team enters its 54th year of Formula 1 competition with a strong portfolio of more than 40 committed partners at its side and the investment recently announced at the end of 2020 by MSP Sports Capital and UBS O’Connor. track, alongside the progress on the line.
Lando and Daniel will drive the MCL35M for the first time from tomorrow at Silverstone as part of the team’s shooting days before the season. The team is making its first official outing at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12th during pre-season testing. McLaren F1 will return to Sakhir for the Formula 1 season opener and the team’s first home race at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28, 2021.
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO said:
“We are very excited to start our team with Lando and Daniel in 2021 as we prepare for the start of the Formula 1 season. We have an incredibly exciting driver line-up this year, both of which are impressive racing drivers on the track and great characters off the track. Lando is a naturally fast and intelligent racing driver on an exciting trajectory, while Daniel is a multiple Grand Prix winner with a sharp racing advantage and exceptional talent.
“After a challenging but rewarding 2020, we have firmly pressed the reset button for this season as we continue our way towards the top of the grid. This is going to be an even tougher season but we are ready to take on the challenge. I would like to pay tribute to Formula 1 and the FIA, as well as our teammates who continue to work hard for the good of our sport as we strive to bring exciting races to fans around the world.
“We’re going into this season with an incredible group of dedicated and valuable partners at our side who are such an important part of our team. 2020 was a great challenge not only for McLaren Racing but also for many of our partners. Your support is therefore a testament to the quality of our partners and the relationships we have built on our journey together.
“We really missed having our fantastic fans with us on the track and we can’t wait to have them with us again when it is safe to do so. As always, we go to every Grand Prix weekend with the ambition to put on a great show and get the best possible result for our incredible fan base.
“I’m proud of our team and the progress we’ve made together so far. We still have a long way to go, but we have a great spirit in the team and will become stronger competitors as our journey progresses. “
Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren F1, said:
“All of us at McLaren are ready and determined for another season of intense Formula 1 racing. Over the short winter, the entire team worked hard together with our colleagues from Mercedes-AMG to produce the MCL35M and to offer our drivers a strong car this year. This was no small challenge and I would like to thank every member of our team, whether at the MTC or from afar, for the tremendous effort they have put in. I know Lando and Daniel will do their best to represent the team on the track.
“We are all delighted with how Lando has gone from being a test and development driver in 2017 to the youngest British podium finish in 2020. His passion and experience for the sport grow hand in hand and he is now one of the fastest. ”And the most exciting racing driver in the field.
“Daniel represents our next step as a team and his decision to join McLaren is a confirmation of our progress. As a proven race winner and impressive competitor, Daniel brings the energy and experience to drive McLaren to the top of the field on our mission.
“Together, Lando and Daniel form one of the most competitive driver line-ups in sport. With these two at the wheel of the MCL35M, we know that we will have a team that is fully committed to performance on the track as we head into the 2021 season. “
James Key, Technical Director, McLaren F1 said:
“Despite the relatively stable technical regulations from 2020, there are several significant aerodynamic changes to the regulations that are important to get right. Any change in these regulations presents an opportunity and the team at Woking has worked incredibly hard in difficult circumstances to maximize those opportunities.
“One of the key elements of the MCL35M design is the integration of the Mercedes-AMG engine, which the team in Woking and our colleagues at Mercedes have made considerable efforts to achieve. Despite our limited installation options in a homologated car, the team has optimized our design work fantastically.
“Building a Formula 1 car is never easy. These are the fastest and most technically complex racing cars in the world, and this challenge has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past year, the team at the factory has undergone incredibly rigorous and rigorous testing and working procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of our employees. I am incredibly proud of how our incredible group of people faced this challenge and developed the best possible package. “
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Lando Norris, # 4, said:
“I’m really looking forward to working with the team again before my third season in Formula 1. Every time I get in the car, I feel like my confidence and experience are growing, which helps me improve my performance year after year. ”Year. I personally worked hard during the off-season to be as sharp as possible when we get to pre-season testing and I can’t wait to get back in the car soon.
“I’m looking forward to going back to some of the countries where we couldn’t race last year, hopefully at some point with fans who create such an incredible atmosphere in every country we compete in. We really missed it. When we have our fans on the track and until we can meet again in person, I’ll work as hard as possible to give them a good show. 2021 will be another challenging year on the track with close competition, but I’m just focusing on getting back into racing and giving it my all. “
Daniel Ricciardo, # 3, said:
“It’s great to have finally joined the team after what felt like an eternity since it was confirmed in May last year. I’m excited to be a McLaren driver and I’m very keen to get started. McLaren has had a great journey over the past few years and I look forward to helping the team maintain that positive dynamic. I have spent the last few weeks here in the UK integrating myself fully into the team so that we are as prepared as possible for the start of the season. I’ve had such a warm welcome from everyone I’ve met and there’s a real sense of oneness and focus at the factory and a lot of excitement!
“When I go into this new season in Formula 1, I am excited and motivated to give everything. I think my determination to perform has only grown with experience and I look forward to starting this next chapter in my career. “
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The post McLaren Racing – McLaren presents the 2021 driver line-up and introduces the MCL35M first appeared on monter-une-startup.
