McLaren MP4-27 launch

[prisonermonkeys]

January 25 – Caterham CT01
February 1 – McLaren MP4-27
February 3 – Ferrari (TBA)
February 3 – Force India VJM05
February 5 – Lotus E20
February 6 – Red Bull RB8
February 6 – Sauber C31
February 7 – Williams FW34
February 7 – Toro Rosso STR7
February 21 – Mercedes W03
February 21 – HRT F112
March 1 – Marussia MR01

Continuing with the 2012 launch season, McLaren will launch the MP4-27 tomorrow, which means it's time for the launch thread. Will the 27 continue the design trend of the 27? Or will it be more-conventional with an ugly nose?

 

[hawkeye122]

If they for some stupid reason have changed the livery I will be annoyed. Otherwise, I really dont care what it looks like. It's the new McLaren, ffs.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

There was a rumour last year that went viral, suggesting that McLaren would swap their chrome for black. I think it had something to do with black team shirts becoming available in the F1 Store. McLaren promptly shot it down. There haven't been any such rumours this year - at least, not that I'm aware of - although I did find this mock-up in white online and this one in anthracite. The white was proposed to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1988 season. Not sure what the black-grey one is all about.

 

[Sohvakettu]

They should make it McLaren orange.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It would clash horribly with Vodafone's red.

 

[hawkeye122]

The black could look pretty slick. But other than that, I like it the way it is.

 

[Seismica]

There was a rumour last year that went viral, suggesting that McLaren would swap their chrome for black. I think it had something to do with black team shirts becoming available in the F1 Store. McLaren promptly shot it down. There haven't been any such rumours this year - at least, not that I'm aware of - although I did find this mock-up in white online and this one in anthracite. The white was proposed to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1988 season. Not sure what the black-grey one is all about.

I really like both of those. Speaking of the black team shirts, did you know they don't actually say Mclaren anywhere on them? I'm wearing one right now.

Back on topic: I can't wait to see the new design, and to see if they have come up with any unique innovations that have so far been kept quiet (The L-shaped sidepods last years were only evident after the car was launched).

 

[joetoml1n]

Damn that McLaren would look good in black.

 

[TheCracker]

There was a rumour last year that went viral, suggesting that McLaren would swap their chrome for black. I think it had something to do with black team shirts becoming available in the F1 Store. McLaren promptly shot it down. There haven't been any such rumours this year - at least, not that I'm aware of - although I did find this mock-up in white online and this one in anthracite. The white was proposed to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1988 season. Not sure what the black-grey one is all about.

The chrome/silver was probably down to the Mercedes-Benz link. With them having their own team now and a much lesser involvement with McLaren, i see no reason why McLaren would continue with that colour scheme. I like the white concept shown, links in well with the red of Vodafone for a classic era Marlboro McLaren vibe. 👍

 

[prisonermonkeys]

With them having their own team now and a much lesser involvement with McLaren, i see no reason why McLaren would continue with that colour scheme.

Because McLaren like it and it makes their cars easier to distinguish?

 

[Prince.M5]

Hmmm... I actually prefer the white one because well, I like white and it's my favourite colour. It also has that classic feel of McLaren so does my opinion that it looks better in white. The black one isn't bad, but I don't like it as much as the white one.

 

[Stavelot]

The chrome/silver was probably down to the Mercedes-Benz link.

So explain why Triple Eight in V8SC has the exact same red/chrome livery with their Vodafone sponsorship.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Because Vodafone liked the colour scheme and adopted it as their racing colours.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

McLaren "are bracing themselves" for a legality challenge over the MP4-27:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97233

 

[Liquid]

They should make it McLaren orange.

The MP4/12 looked gorgeous in plain orange without sponsors.

Do we know if the duck billed nose is a common theme this year? Or just something one or two teams are experimenting with?

 

[LewyOs]

Interesting.

Any idea about the picture used in the article PM? Not sure whether its just the 26 under the cover.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Do we know if the duck billed nose is a common theme this year?

It is believed that the majority of the teams will use it.

 

[Stavelot]

F1 became ugly a hell if they all look like the Caterham...

 

[Adam41]

McLaren "are bracing themselves" for a legality challenge over the MP4-27:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97233

I really can't wait to see this car now.

 

[TheCracker]

So explain why Triple Eight in V8SC has the exact same red/chrome livery with their Vodafone sponsorship.

McLaren's 'silver/black/red' livery dates back to the '97 season when they stopped being sponsored by Marlboro and began with West sponsorship, it also coincides with Mercedes buying a bigger stake in McLaren. Every livery since has been an evolution of that.

As prisonermonkeys said, Vodafone obviously like the livery, and there's been quite a few link-ups with Craig Lowndes, Jenson Button and Jamie Whincup swopping rides at Bathurst and Albert Park, all for Vodafone promotions.

 

[LewyOs]

Interesting.

Any idea about the picture used in the article PM? Not sure whether its just the 26 under the cover.

Just found out myself that its the 25.

 

[Liquid]

It is believed that the majority of the teams will use it.

Then if Caterham are following the majority, it'll be interesting to see if they really can close the gap to the midfield teams and score some points. They seem the most likely of the Class B teams.

---

Legality fight, eh? McLaren are no strangers to controversy. Fully automatic upshifter in 1994, independent rear braking in 1998, the infamous Spygate of 2007...

They're interested in one lap speed so they can get more poles. But surely if they focus on that too much it will backfire majorly; they won't have the race pace to maintain the race control that they're after. Vettel and Red Bull have bulletproof reliability and a fantastic chassis. They're going to be tough to beat either way.

 

[Smilenator]

I reckon this McLaren will have a big innovation because they have found a loophole in the regulations. Maybe something to do with lower nose or exhaust placement.
Head start at beginning of season before being slowly caught up?

 

[LewyOs]

The article has vanished from Autosport, strange.

 

[Smilenator]

The article has vanished from Autosport, strange.

Why would they do that?
It didn't give away that much information, did it?

[Edit] But it is now on Sky Sports

 

[Cowboys965]

They should make it McLaren orange.

I like your thinking!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Why would they do that?

Woking probably called Autosport and asked them to take it down. If they're really preparing themselves for legality challenges, then they probably don't want to give the other teams advance warning that they might want to protest something on the MP4-27.

 

[Ardius]

McLaren should totally go for the white+orangey red combo if they ever change the livery. I complained in the past about too many white cars but I have to admit that the mock-up looks fantastic. Wouldn't want to clash too much with HRT, Ferrari and Sauber though I guess.

 

[Smilenator]

Woking probably called Autosport and asked them to take it down. If they're really preparing themselves for legality challenges, then they probably don't want to give the other teams advance warning that they might want to protest something on the MP4-27.

And they don't think that the other teams will already of noticed the article.

 

[Pupik]

I like your thinking!

Papaya Orange...yes, please!

Doubtful, but it's their "test color" and they used it from 1968-71.