McLaren showcase bold new livery as they reveal 2022 challenger, the MCL36

McLaren have revealed the car they hope will push them closer towards becoming World Championship contenders with a live show from their factory in Woking.

The MCL36, which will be driven by Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, is built to revolutionary new technical rules and features a new livery that marries papaya orange with a new shade of blue.

McLaren finished fourth in the constructors’ championship last year after a campaign that yielded their first win since 2012, through Ricciardo at Monza and the only one-two finish of the year with Norris following him home.

READ MORE: McLaren operations boss hails ‘phenomenal achievement’ of preparing all-new MCL36 for 2022 season

Their points tally was their highest since 2012, while their relative performance demonstrated they had closed the gap to pace-setters Mercedes and Red Bull. The target is to continue that upward trajectory.

“Over the last year the team have been hard at work developing the MCL36, seeking to take advantage of any opportunities we might find in the design and production of these new cars,” said Team Principal Andreas Seidl.

“Lando’s performance in 2021 was one of the standouts of the season, with four podium finishes and a pole-position. He came agonisingly close to his first race victory, and although we didn’t quite achieve that, he’s proven to the world that he can become a Grand Prix winner.

“After finding it harder to adapt to the MCL35M than he might have expected, Daniel rallied to a strong finish in the second half of the season and captured McLaren’s first win since 2012. Throughout the season we saw Daniel’s skill, resolve and trademark positive attitude despite difficult moments, and we head into the 2022 better prepared to tackle this new challenge.

READ MORE: How McLaren became race winners again

“Our objective for this season is clear and consistent with that of previous years: we want to further close the gap to the front of the pack. At the same time, we know and respect the tough competition we’ll face and have a realistic view of where we are on our journey. We’re working through a package of key infrastructure investments, which will provide us with the tools required to compete at the top of our sport when they come online.”

Technical Director James Key added: “With a blank sheet of paper, the team here at McLaren have been working hard to establish a competitive platform for this and future seasons.

“However, we know we’ve only just begun to unlock performance from this regulation set, and that one of the key features of the 2022 season will be the intense development war as teams assess each other’s designs and innovate new ways of generating downforce through ground-effect.”

Norris said: “Last year was my best in Formula 1 so far, and I’m really proud of what I achieved as a driver, and what we achieved as a team. But I know that the best is yet to come, and my aim is to carry the positive momentum we built up over the last year and take that with me into this exciting new era of Formula 1.

READ MORE: Ricciardo reveals new peach-coloured helmet ahead of 2022 season

“I’m in a good position heading into this year to build on the successes of 2021. I’ve grown up alongside McLaren and I’m really delighted to have recently confirmed my long-term future with the team.”

Ricciardo added: “There’s always a nervous excitement around the start of the new season, but that’s turned up to 11 when you enter a new era of regulations. Having been through several regulation changes now, I feel like I’m able to use that energy to help me adapt to new cars, new ways of driving and ultimately new ways of racing.

“Heading into my second year with McLaren feels great and I feel like we learned a lot as a team in 2021, which will help us as we take on this new challenge.”

McLaren are set to shake the car down at Barcelona as part of a filming day later this month before three days of pre-season running takes place at the same venue for all 10 teams.