McLaren has unveiled its new-look car for the 2015 Formula 1 season, the MP4-30, that marks the beginning of a new era in association with engine supplier Honda.
In a small online launch, the British team released a video called “Time to Make History” that reveals a digital render of the new car, boasting a new-look livery that features a smart red trim and some new sponsors.
Honda previously powered McLaren between 1988 and 1992, enjoying one of the most dominant partnerships in F1 history as Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost won four drivers championships and the team claimed four constructors’ titles.
After almost 20 years with Mercedes, McLaren announced back in 2013 that it would be switching to Honda power for the 2015 F1 season, with the Japanese manufacturer exclusively powering the team this year.
“Although our renewed alliance began again many months ago, the launch of the McLaren-Honda MP4-30 marks the start of a lengthy journey,” McLaren CEO Ron Dennis said in a statement.
“We’ve come a long way already and, although there’s a lot of work to do before we can expect to repeat the level of success we enjoyed together 25-or-so years ago, it’s already clear that there’s enormous synergy and potential in our partnership.
“I’m positive that, together, we’ll get to where we want to be: winning Grands Prix and eventually world championships as McLaren-Honda.”
Honda motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai was similarly enthusiastic about the renewed partnership, bolding stating that no compromises have been made in designing and producing the new car.
“Today is obviously a very exciting day for me and for Honda,” Arai said. “It’s not every day that you’re involved in a launch of a new Formula 1 car and a start-up of a new partnership.As you can see with the new MP4-30, we’ve dedicated ourselves as one team with McLaren to creating a new car that compromises on nothing – either power or aerodynamics.
“As you can see with the new MP4-30, we’ve dedicated ourselves as one team with McLaren to creating a new car that compromises on nothing – either power or aerodynamics.
“We’re about to commence a long season, with numerous challenges, but Honda is determined to face them head-on. After all, we’re here to drive Formula 1’s technology forward and give our fans a thrilling ride.”
The MP4-30 features a new nose for the 2015 season, breaking away from the protruding extension that the MP4-29 boasted. Besides the red trim, the car also incorporates more black into the chrome design.
Today’s launch marks the beginning of a new era for McLaren as it looks to bounce back from a number of disappointing campaigns of the past few years. Having not won a race since 2012, the team finished fifth in last year’s constructors’ championship, but is hoping that the move to Honda power will take it to the head of the field once again.
McLaren’s cause has also been aided by the return of Fernando Alonso, who returns to Woking after five years with Ferrari. The Spaniard spent one controversial year with the team back in 2007 that saw the team get embroiled in a spying scandal, ultimately ending its exclusion from the constructors’ championship and a $100m fine.
However, Alonso and McLaren have put their past differences to one side (at least on the surface) to work together again in 2015, and the Spaniard is joined by Jenson Button, who enters his 16th season in Formula 1 in 2015.
