McLaren F1 Team announced their 2023 challenger yesterday, the MCL60, at a launch event at their headquarters in Woking.
Alongside their car, McLaren launched their new driver lineup with Oscar Piastri joining the team to race alongside Lando Norris. There was also a change in personnel on the pit wall, with Andrea Stella being promoted from Technical Director to Team Principal after the departure of Andreas Seidl to Sauber.
Stella described taking on the role as an honour as the team enters its sixtieth-year anniversary.
“It’s an honour to lead McLaren Racing into the team’s 60th anniversary season. We have a committed and talented group of people at McLaren, and we are all looking forward to taking the MCL60 racing, after the hard work and the efforts over the last months, in all areas of the team.
McLaren slipped to fifth in the Constructors Championship last season falling behind BWT Alpine F1 Team, and the Woking-based team have acted quickly to ensure they claim the place and have taken the gamble of replacing seasoned veteran Daniel Ricciardo with Formula 1 rookie Piastri to race alongside the impressive Norris.
“During our time away from racing, we have enjoyed welcoming Oscar to the McLaren Technology Centre and we have worked together to build strong relationships and to be fully prepared for the start of his career in Formula 1.
“He has quickly integrated into the team and gained much respect, thanks to his humility, bright intellect, and dedication. It’s also been great to resume the work with Lando, who is now showing the qualities of a leader as he supports the journey of the team. Lando and Oscar form such a strong and talented driver line-up and we are very much looking forward to the 2023 season with them at the wheel of the MCL60.”
Stella has ensured that despite the changes in the team, they remain focused on the main objective which is to move up the grid and return to pushing for podium finishes and potentially even race wins.
“Together with our colleagues at Mercedes HPP, we can take great pride in our strong collaboration in the realisation of the MCL60 and in the joined efforts to the pursuit of moving back up the grid.
“We are aware we have work to do as we enter the 2023 season, but everyone in the team is totally focused and committed to making our 60th anniversary year a special one.”
