Get a sneak peek at the first Formula One car for the 2025 centenary season. Ahead of the joint season opener in London, reigning champions McLaren have released a first glimpse of the latest achievement from Woking. Wearing a striking camouflage livery, the MCL39 was unveiled at the Silverstone circuit on Thursday for a special day of filming. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had the honour of putting their new car through its paces.
The McLaren MCL39 took to the Silverstone circuit for the first time on Thursday, unsponsored and wearing a special camouflage livery. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri donned neutral black racing suits for the occasion before getting behind the wheel. Stealth mode activated.
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McLaren’s latest creation made its track debut in unique circumstances. Stripped of sponsorship decals and sporting a striking stealth-inspired livery, the MCL39 was rolled out for its first shakedown at the iconic Silverstone circuit. Both Norris and Piastri donned neutral black racing gear to complement the car’s understated yet aggressive appearance, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding McLaren’s new contender.
The day of filming provided McLaren with a rare opportunity to put the MCL39 on track ahead of its official unveiling. Teams are allowed to run their cars for promotional purposes, but with strict mileage limits – just 200 kilometres in total. The real test of the new car will come during pre-season testing in Bahrain later this month.
McLaren have confirmed that the final design, complete with sponsor logos and official race livery, will be revealed at the F1 75 event in London on 18 February. Until then, fans will have to make do with glimpses of the car in its camouflaged form, designed to keep rival teams guessing about potential aerodynamic innovations.
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Zak Brown: “A major milestone in our title defence”
The sight of the MCL39 roaring around Silverstone was a momentous occasion for McLaren as they embark on their title defence following a triumphant 2024 season. CEO Zak Brown was quick to highlight the significance of the day, while remaining realistic about the challenges ahead.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our fight for the 2025 title,” said Brown.
“It’s great to see the MCL39 on track for the first time. At the same time, we’re realistic – every team has worked hard over the winter and the competition is tougher than ever. We’ve made great strides, but we won’t really know where we stand until we hit the track in Australia.”
McLaren, fresh from winning both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships last season, now face the immense challenge of staying ahead in what promises to be another fiercely competitive campaign.
Brown remains optimistic, however, and has made it clear that McLaren’s ambitions remain unchanged: “We are doing everything we can to bring both championships back to Woking this year.”
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Andrea Stella: “Grid more competitive than ever”
Team Principal Andrea Stella echoed Brown’s sentiments, highlighting the increasing intensity of competition in Formula One.
“Last year we finished as champions, but it also showed how competitive the grid is,” explained Stella.
“This season will be no different – it will be an incredibly challenging year. The margins between the teams will be razor thin and we will have to make sure that every detail is perfect.”
Stella, who played a key role in leading McLaren to their first constructors’ title in years, is under no illusions about the difficulty of maintaining their position at the top. With rivals such as Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari expected to return even stronger in 2025, McLaren know they must continue to evolve to stay ahead.
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Lando Norris: “This year will be even tougher”
Getting behind the wheel of the MCL39 for the first time was a special moment for Lando Norris. The British driver came agonisingly close to clinching his first Formula One Drivers’ title last year and is determined to make 2025 the season in which he finally clinches the ultimate prize.
“It was exciting to drive the MCL39 for the first time,” said Norris after his Silverstone run.
“This year will be more competitive than ever, so we have a lot of work to do to defend our Constructors’ title and also fight for the Drivers’ Championship.”
The 2024 season saw Norris take several wins and establish himself as a genuine title contender. However, with new regulations and car developments, he knows the battle will be fiercer than ever. While last year’s performance proved he is one of the elite in F1, he remains focused on pushing himself and his team to new heights.
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Oscar Piastri: “We’ve worked hard to be ready”
Entering his third season in F1, Oscar Piastri is equally determined to make an impact in 2025. The Australian enjoyed a strong 2024, taking his first Grand Prix win and playing a key role in McLaren’s success. Now he wants to build on that foundation.
“It was good to get used to the MCL39 before we really put it through its paces in Bahrain,” commented Piastri.
“I worked hard this winter to be as prepared as possible. The margins will probably be very small again, but I’m excited. Winning Grands Prix last season has only made me want more.”
Piastri’s confidence and hunger for success are evident. While he played an important supporting role in McLaren’s championship-winning campaign last year, he now has his sights set on taking another step forward – potentially challenging Norris for the number one spot in the team.
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McLaren’s journey to Bahrain and beyond
With the first laps of the MCL39 completed, attention now turns to pre-season testing in Bahrain, where the teams will get their first real chance to assess the competitiveness of their new cars. McLaren, keen to maintain their winning momentum, will use the test sessions to fine-tune performance, evaluate aerodynamic developments and ensure reliability ahead of the season opener.
While the Silverstone shakedown provided valuable initial feedback, the true performance of the MCL39 will only be revealed when it is unleashed in competitive conditions. The first race of the season in Australia will be the first real indicator of whether McLaren have successfully built on their championship winning momentum.
As excitement builds for the 2025 season, McLaren’s early unveiling of the MCL39 has already given fans plenty to talk about. With high expectations and intense competition ahead, the stage is set for another thrilling year in the sport.
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