The MCL39 is the first 2025 car design to break cover for the season, running in a one-off camo papaya and black livery as the actual design cannot be revealed until the F1 75 Live event next week.
In what’s become somewhat typical for McLaren around launch season, this event was kept under wraps until imagery was released.
The MCL39 will complete 200km of running at Silverstone with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri splitting the driving duties, as is allowed by the regulations around testing of current cars for promotional events.
McLaren Racing’s CEO, Zak Brown, said, “Today is a big milestone in our journey in the 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.”
McLaren launch this year’s campaign as defending Constructors’ champions, but both drivers acknowledge that the task to retain the title won’t be easy.
“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’ as well,” said Norris.
Piastri added, “The margins at the top are likely to be incredibly tight but I’m excited by the room for growth after two seasons in the sport. Winning Grands Prix early in my career has given me the taste for success and I want much more.”
McLaren will reveal their real 2025 livery next Tuesday live at the O2 event, with pre-season testing set to follow from February 26th-28th.
