McLaren director: We are listening to our fans

McLaren executive director Zak Brown has claimed that the team have reverted back to their papaya orange livery for the new 2018 campaign because they 'are listening to the fans' who have been calling for a return to the colour of the team's earlier years.

Expectations at McLaren have increased this season due to the fact that they have ditched their unreliable Honda engines in favour of more powerful Renault units.

Today they revealed their new livery which is a throwback to their golden age, and Brown insists this was due to fans crying out for the return to orange.

“The McLaren team was created by a brave pioneer and has had bravery at its core ever since,” he said.

“Whether it’s been with brave drivers, brave leaders or brave fortune, this team has always fought back. We definitely view 2018 as the year when McLaren will move closer to the front, fighting teams and drivers as we improve our fortunes.

“We have an excellent team, a new engine partner in Renault and a host of fantastic new partnerships: Airgain, CNBC, Dell Technologies, Kimoa and Petrobras have all been welcomed to the McLaren family.

“Our return to a papaya orange livery for this year wasn’t simply an emotional decision; it demonstrates that we are listening to our fans, building deeper engagement with them and the Formula 1 community as a whole."

McLaren's reputation took a nosedive over the past three years, with Honda's unreliability costing them continually during races, with Fernando Alonso reportedly even punching a hole in a wall after one particular failed race. Brown wants his team to gain back the respect they once had.

“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.“