McLaren debut Honda-powered MP4-30 - Team reveal new look car with revised livery and nose design
Published by Christine
McLaren became the latest team to unwrap the covers from their 2015 Formula One challenger, with the Woking based squad revealing the MP4-30 in all its glory. It's a sparse-looking livery, lacking sponsor detail, and the paintwork remains silver and dark grey, with added red stripes along the side and onto the wing mirrors.
There had been some speculation the car would go back to its red and white traditional routes, as McLaren have been touting their return to past form for several days now. The returning partnership with Honda is a key component of their hoped-for success this year, but that is only really referenced with the red go-faster stripes.
Considering just how much nostalgia the team have indulged in this year, it's odd to see Ron Dennis say he doesn't "tend to like looking back to the past" but adds "our previous record of sustained success was certainly instrumental in creating the confidence to make the decision to partner with Honda again."
Much of the launch detail is focused on the colour scheme and the Honda partnership, with the car barely ready for testing let alone the start of the year. The new nose is very steep and sharp, but McLaren have said there will be upgrades during the pre-season action in Spain and ahead of the first race in Melbourne.
McLaren have said there will be upgrades during the pre-season action in Spain and ahead of the first race in Melbourne
There has been some technical work done, though, with the team philosophy changing to focus less on wind tunnel data results and more on feedback given from the driver.
Notable tweaks include the revised nose, the tighter bodywork around the gearbox and adjustments to get the Honda power unit fitting nicely in the car.
It's certainly not the prettiest machine McLaren have ever produced, but it's very much a work in progress. Fernando Alonso is set to be the first inside the car, when testing gets underway this weekend, and he, alongside Jenson Button, is ready to get some mileage going, data flowing, and start turning the team's fortunes around.
