McLaren has launched its 2025 Formula 1 challenger, the MCL39, at Silverstone in a striking camo livery.
Less than a week before unveiling its colour scheme for the 2025 campaign at the F1 75 event at London’s O2 arena, the reigning Constructors’ champions McLaren took its new machine to the track for the first time on Thursday at the famed British Grand Prix venue.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri got their first taste of the MCL39 at Silverstone, running in a camo livery comprised of shades of papaya and black.
The MCL39 shakedown was used by McLaren as a filming day to capture promotional material, but also vital to get a first read on the car it hopes will charge towards the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in 2025.
“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,” said CEO Zak Brown.
“We must be realistic that every team will have made progress over the winter. Last year highlighted just how much the grid has closed up, which is a brilliant thing for the sport. We believe we have made further steps forward since the Championship-winning MCL38 but we won’t know where we sit in the standings until we get into Qualifying in Australia.
“We’re a team that never stops racing and we’ll be giving it our all to bring both Championships back to Woking.”
McLaren looking to emulate 2024 F1 success
McLaren won an impressive six races throughout the 2024 season en route to its first Constructors’ title in 26 years, and Team Principal Andrea Stella has acknowledged how tough an act that will be to follow.
“We are excited to see the MCL39 hit the track for the first time at Silverstone Circuit today,” the Italian said.
“Whilst we finished last year as Champions, 2024 highlighted how highly competitive the grid is, which is something that will carry through to this year’s Championship. We therefore must keep focused to compete at the front in this tight field.
“It’s going to be an exciting but incredibly challenging year ahead.
“The team have worked extremely hard to prepare as best as possible for the start of the season.
“We learned a lot from our battles last year, so we take this and use it to push our goal for the year.
“My thanks go to the entire team for their work to get the car ready for today, as well as our colleagues at Mercedes HPP for their continued collaboration.
“We now focus on the work ahead to ensure we maximise our time in testing before the first competitive session in Australia.”
Norris seeking maiden Drivers’ title
Norris took the first four wins of his F1 career in 2024 but ultimately came up short in the Drivers’ Championship, finishing second to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Briton was excited to get behind the wheel of the MCL39 as he chases a maiden title this year.
“It’s exciting to hop in the MCL39 for the first time and see what it can do on track, ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain,” Norris said.
“The camo livery is a fun one and it’s great to be able to showcase something different ahead of our full livery reveal at the official F1 75 launch.
“Thank you to the entire team for their work in getting us to this point.
“This year will be more competitive than ever, so we’ve got a lot to do to be able to retain our Constructor’s title and go for the Drivers’ as well.
“I’ve been back at the MTC prepping for the season ahead and the mood is feeling positive but focused.
“We’re all looking forward to getting the car on track in Bahrain ahead of our competitive debut in Australia and to see where we net out amongst the other teams. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season.”
Piastri positive after maiden outing in 2025 McLaren F1 car
Piastri took his first two GP wins in 2024, just the second season of his F1 career and the Australian also harbours title aspirations as he heads into his third term.
“It’s great to get behind the wheel of the MCL39 for the first time ahead of us putting it through its paces in Bahrain,” he said.
“The camo livery looks cool and I am excited to showcase what we’ll be racing in this season at the official livery reveal next week.
“I have been working hard in the off-season to ensure I am ready for the season ahead.
“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.
“As a team, we can take great momentum into 2025 after such a brilliant year in 2024.
“A big thank you to everyone back at base and trackside for all the hard work that’s been done so far.”
READ MORE – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have 2025 F1 title aspirations with McLaren
