McLaren begins 2018 Formula 1 season with Renault

McLaren revealed its 2018 Formula 1 (F1) challenger called the MCL33. Aside from having a brand new Renault engine, the race car also features the papaya orange and blue color livery first used by the team’s founder Bruce McLaren 50 years ago.

According to the Woking-based team, the MCL33 is a logical development of its predecessor. McLaren took all the data from its disastrous 2017 campaign with Honda and worked on optimizing this year’s race car around its new Renault engine. In addition, the team also had to make the necessary adjustments to incorporate the Halo safety device and revised engine cover.

Driving this race car will be two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso, who has been busy participating in various forms of motorsport during the off-season to chase that all-elusive triple crown. Alonso will be joined by Stoffel Vandoorne, who is starting his second season with the team and F1.

McLaren finished ninth in the constructor’s standings, just ahead of bottom-feeder Sauber. Will McLaren’s new engine be able to power the team back into contention or will it be another disappointing partnership? Guess we’ll find out soon.