IN PICTURES: McLaren dressed in a special dress in Monaco
For the return of Formula 1 in the Principality, the British team will stand out with a livery dedicated to its sponsor for a year, Gulf Oil. A decoration as a tribute, offering motorsport purists a touch of nostalgia.
The MCL35M will sport a livery that has made history in the world of motor racing.
Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo’s cars will see the traditional orange make way for the light blue of the Gulf Oil company.
One will notice an orange line running through the car along its length, including on the halo and at the tip of the engine bonnet. The front and rear fins will abandon navy blue in favor of an orange accompanied by black.
On the pontoons, the flanks of the nose and engine cover, it’s this pale blue so characteristic that will predominate on the English machines. Finally, Ricciardo and Norris’ numbers 3 and 4 will take their usual place in black on a white background, in a circle giving the perfect retro touch! “Zak Brown: « At McLaren, design is something that is close to our hearts. »
The McLaren team staff will also be decorated in this way for the Monaco Grand Prix. The drivers, on the other hand, will wear a helmet specially dedicated to the occasion.
This livery is all the more beautiful because it is emblematic. The legendary Ford GT40 triumphed at Le Mans in these colors in 1969. McLaren had already worn this livery in the past! Not in Formula 1, but at Le Mans, like Ford, when the F1 GTR ’97 took second place in the classic Le Mans race in 1997.
McLaren’s executive director, Zak Brown, is pleased with the initiative:
It will be a tribute from the team to this famous racing car livery. We are big fans of bold and striking liveries like these. Gulf blue is one of the most appreciated decorations by the motorsport community. It is a cultural element that runs through our discipline.
At McLaren, design is something that is close to our hearts. This was demonstrated by our return to papaya orange a few years ago and by our superb headquarters in Woking. We are all proud to celebrate this team partnership in Monaco!
The British single-seaters decorated in this way will be revealed to the -authorized- public of the Rock next weekend from May 21st to 23rd.
