McLaren to drop silver livery for 2011?

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. McLaren has denied speculation it is set to drop its traditional silver livery for the 2011 season. Reports had linked the team's launch of mainly black and red official clothing for this year with rumors McLaren may want to differentiate itself from former works partner Mercedes, who now compete with a similarly silver-liveried car.

"Black livery? Er, no," McLaren said via its official Twitter feed TheFifthDriver.

The Woking based team, still powered by Mercedes engines, added that the 2011 livery will be "the same Rocket Red and chrome finish that you've grown to love since Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was born in 2007".

"That's official, btw (by the way)," McLaren confirmed.

Jenson Button in his Chrome (shiny silver)McLaren

01/05/11 (GMM) According to speculation in F1 circles, McLaren could be set to drop most of the silver from its car livery for the 2011 season.

Last year, after the shareholding split with Mercedes was announced, it was rumored then that Woking based McLaren might adopt a substantially new livery — given Mercedes GP's plans for a similarly silver car.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh said then: "It (the silver) is a McLaren brand color; it works for our partners and us."

Mercedes, however, ramped up its 'Silver Arrows' rhetoric throughout 2010 and now remains only an engine supplier to McLaren, with the shareholding ever diluted.

Indeed, this year, Daimler's stake is scheduled to have been entirely bought back by McLaren.

A hint about McLaren's branding and livery plans for 2011 is in the new official merchandising range for the forthcoming season.

For example, gone are the silver team caps of 2010, replaced by mainly black ones for 2011. The team crew and management-style shirts and jackets are also black.