McLaren Tag

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor According to a report from the BBC, McLaren has contacted Mercedes about an engine supply deal. Which means it is already looking at other partners after numerous failures in preseason testing with current supplier Honda. Despite an improvement to sixth in the constructor’s championship in 2016, and an optimistic re-branding in the off season, McLaren is set to begin the new season at the back of the pack. Honda which maintained it could find a fix for the problems encountered during testing and have it ready in timeRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief McLaren announced the return of Mika Hakkinen to the team in a multi-year deal as a ‘partner ambassador’ role. The two-time Formula 1 champion (1998-99) piloted 130 grand prix for the Woking-based outfit, scoring 20 wins. The 48-year-old Finn competed nine years under McLaren and expressed his pleased he was to return to his “home.” “I’ve always considered McLaren to be my home in Formula 1, and I still have an enormous place in my heart for everyone in the team,” said Hakkinen. “Of course, theRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Fernando Alonso is not happy. After just 6 days of pre-season testing, McLaren-Honda has had more power unit failures, changes, and technical problems than any other Formula One team and he is laying the blame squarely on Honda. With echoes of his “GP2 engine” remarks, the two time champ berated Honda when he spoke to the media today. “We have only one problem: that is the power unit. There is no reliability and there is no power. I think we are 30 km/h down on every straight.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alonso has admitted to F1i.com that the fate of his Formula 1 future will be decided at the break during the summer. The 35-year-old Spaniard is in the final year of his current contract with McLaren. Since jumping over from Ferrari at the end of 2014, the two-time world champion has struggled due in large part to the rebuilding process that has taken place in Woking and with engine supplier Honda. Although 2017 brings new regulation changes and hope that the MCL32 will be aRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief After weeks of speculation, McLaren have finally showcased its 2017 Formula 1 car, the MCL32, but have also brought with it an orange and black livery. The team put hints out through social media that it would revert back to its traditional color and is just one of many notable changes with the newest challenger to the F1 grid. The Woking-based outfit also elected to drop the ‘MP4’ standard – which stood for Marlboro Project Four – as it has now moved away from the eraRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor After Red Bull Racing pinched ExxonMobil from McLaren Honda in the off-season, the refreshed team from Woking has joined Renault in selecting BP and Castrol as their fuel and lubricant supplier from 2017 on. The move not only means that BP and Castrol are supplying two teams this season, but also that Red Bull and Renault will be using different fuel suppliers for the same engines. It will be fascinating to see which oil company gives their team an edge as power units will be evenRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor McLaren dropped a big hint with the teaser poster for their car unveiling this season. It’s orange and black theme is believed to indicate a return to the firm’s classic papaya orange livery, famously introduced by company founder Bruce McLaren. The iconic orange hue has often been used as a testing livery for the team, such as the case of Pedro de la Rosa’s car above. It has also been used for special edition road cars like the F1 LM that celebrated the team’s victory atRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor The 2016 Formula One season will go down in history as one of the most surprising, and unique in recent years. It will be known for Nico Rosberg’s epic battle with Lewis Hamilton, for Max Verstappen’s rise at Red Bull, for the retirement of beloved veterans, and Rosberg’s willingness to walk away from the sport having won his only world title. Here are our top five moments of the year. 5. Retirement Announcements Beloved veterans Jenson Button and Felipe Massa shocked the sport by announcing theyRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Fernando Alonso has announced that he is committed to staying on at McLaren despite recent rumors linking him with the vacant seat at Mercedes. News had barely broken of Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement before the silly season went full steam ahead and rumors of Alonso jumping ship to Mercedes were rife. Despite the Spaniard’s past history of unexpected team changes, it looks like the speculation has been put to rest, at least for the time being. Speaking at the McLaren factory in Surrey he said, “IRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Red Bull Racing announced a lubricant and sponsorship deal with oil giant ExxonMobil today. The deal is somewhat of a coup against rivals McLaren who have enjoyed a very succesful, 21 year partnership with the world’s wealthiest company. The deal will see Red Bull use ExxonMobil fuels and lubricants, as well as feature ExxonMobil branding on the cars, the drivers’ fire suits and helmets. Renault, who supplies Red Bull’s engines will stick with fellow French company Total for their lubricant and fuel needs. It will beRead More