McLaren MCL35M launch LIVE

McLaren

McLaren MCL35M launch LIVE

McLaren launches its 2021 F1 challenger

Sam Hall

Monday 15 February 2021 14:00

McLaren becomes the first Formula 1 team to officially launch its 2021 challenger and you can watch the ceremony live with GPFans from 19:00GMT.

McLaren finished last season third in the constructors' championship, the team's best performance since 2012.

While there is relative stability in the regulations for this year, McLaren has undergone a considerable transformation with the integration of a new power unit.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

Switching from Renault to Mercedes, McLaren has reunited with the manufacturer with which it took three drivers' world titles and one constructors' crown during a 20-year period from 1995 to 2014.

There is change, too, in the driver ranks, with Carlos Sainz leaving the team to partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Lando Norris has remained with McLaren for a third year but this time is partnered with former Red Bull and Renault driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

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THE STORY OF 2020

McLaren got off to a flying start at the Austrian Grand Prix with Norris scoring his first career podium in finishing third.

Further strong showings followed as the team found itself locked in what would be a season-long battle with Racing Point and Renault for third place in the constructors' championship.

Sainz capitalised on a red flag at the Italian Grand Prix to finish second behind the AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly, while he also took an early lead in the Portuguese GP after memorably passing both Mercedes cars in the opening stages.

Throughout the year team principal Andreas Seidl maintained the team was only the fifth fastest car on occasion and that in order to succeed, McLaren had to work at its maximum every weekend.

Winning the 'fight for third' in the Abu Dhabi season finale put the icing on the cake of a strong campaign, ending McLaren's relationship with Renault on a positive note.