Formula 1 News: 2025 McLaren F1 challenger breaks cover

McLaren have lifted the covers on their 2025 F1 car, the MCL39, with a first on-track appearance at Silverstone in Cameo livery.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Lando Norris took to the British circuit on Thursday first, becoming the first F1 team and driver to partially reveal their car ahead of the 2025 season.

The MCL39 design team is led by ex-Red Bull Engineers (Rob Marshall and aero guru Peter Prodromou) that McLaren poached from the Red Bull team to help their otherwise inferior engineers.  The Ex-Red Bull engineers have made McLaren the fastest car in F1.

With F1 introducing a live event in London, all 10 teams have been asked not to unveil their new livery until that date, meaning McLaren took to the track camouflaged.

The team conducted a promotional filming day, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sharing driving duties.

CEO Zak Brown said: “Today is a big milestone in our journey in the fight for the 2025 title. It’s great to get our Championship challenger, the MCL39, on track for the first time and to launch the culmination of the team’s hard work.

“We must be realistic that every team will have made progress over the winter. Last year highlighted just how much the grid has closed up, which is a brilliant thing for the sport. We believe we have made further steps forward since the Championship-winning MCL38 but we won’t know where we sit in the standings until we get into Qualifying in Australia.

“We’re a team that never stops racing and we’ll be giving it our all to bring both Championships back to Woking.”

Team principal Andrea Stella said: “We are excited to see the MCL39 hit the track for the first time at Silverstone Circuit today. Whilst we finished last year as Champions, 2024 highlighted how highly competitive the grid is, which is something that will carry through
to this year’s Championship.