McLaren F1 launch: Orange livery shows fans have been heard - Brown
The papaya orange and blue livery on McLaren's 2018 Formula 1 car was inspired by fans and not just "an emotional decision", according to executive director Zak Brown
McLaren's new MCL33, launched on Friday, has a mostly-orange design punctuated by blue on the front-wing elements, engine cover fin and rear wing, similar to colours used on its early F1, Can-Am and Indycars in the early 1970s.
Last year's switch to an orange-and-black livery, which did not use the papaya colour, was met with criticism that McLaren had not gone far enough in referencing its history.
"Our return to a papaya orange livery for this year wasn't simply an emotional decision," said Brown.
"It demonstrates that we are listening to our fans, building deeper engagement with them and the Formula 1 community as a whole.
"We want McLaren to earn respect on and off the track, and this felt like a good starting point.
"We want to show everyone what makes this team special, whether that's our fans or our partners - there's room for more on our journey."
McLaren developed the colours, which it is calling "Papaya Spark" and "Burton and Cerulean Blue", for the livery itself in conjunction with chemicals company AkzoNobel.
It claims to have "significantly" reduced the weight of paint and "decreased paint processing time by more than 50%".
Papaya orange first featured on McLaren's F1 cars in 1968, and McLaren shareholder Mansor Ojjeh said it was "fantastic" to go back to the "classic" colour ahead of an important season, for which McLaren has switched engine supplier from Honda to Renault.
"It's imperative that McLaren looks to re-establish itself on the track this year," he added.
"Off-track, we have been working as strongly as ever.
"This year's car is the result of a fantastic amount of teamwork and effort, of which we can be hugely proud.
"It's fantastic to be able to return McLaren's grand prix cars to the classic papaya orange livery they once sported in the 1960s.
"They look incredible, and really underline the fearless spirit with which we attack the new season."
McLaren F1 launch: No 'shortcuts' in swap from Honda to Renault
Oliver Rowland gets Williams Formula 1 role for 2018
Why Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar can help its F1 team
On Tuesday, Red Bull laid out its plans to develop and build a new hypercar - the RB17 - penned by Adrian Newey. As the project itself sates Newey as a creative outlet, it also offers Red Bull's Formula 1 team a number of new and exciting avenues to pursue
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
OPINION: The British Grand Prix is a home event for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with their Mercedes team based just a few miles away too. But there’s another reason why the Silver Arrows squad is eager to arrive at Silverstone this weekend, which may help it fix its remaining problems with its 2022 Formula 1 challenger
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...