McLaren confirm February 13th launch date for MCL37

McLaren will launch their 2023 Formula 1 contender, the MCL37, at the McLaren Technology Centre on February 13th.

The Mercedes-powered machine will be driven by Lando Norris and F1 rookie Oscar Piastri, who has been signed after Daniel Ricciardo was dropped by the team a year before his contract with them was due to end.

The new car will be unveiled by the drivers and Andrea Stella, who took over as McLaren’s team principal last month when Andreas Seidl left for Sauber.

McLaren is going into their third year with Mercedes as power unit supplier, a relationship which has resulted in one win and five other podium finishes since it started in 2021. However the team has only visited the podium once in the last 30 grands prix.

The two brand’s previous partnership from 1995 to 2014 delivered 78 wins, one constructors’ title and world championship titles for Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton.

Alex Palou, the 2021 IndyCar champion, will serve as the team’s reserve driver this year. His IndyCar campaign with Chip Ganassi Racing will take priority this year, but he will be available to McLaren on four race weekends before his season ends and he is then free to join the team for the final leg of the F1 calendar in Asia and the Americas.

McLaren’s announcement means half of the F1 field has now revealed its launch plans for the 2023 season.

Get all the 2023 F1 race weekend session details plus test and launch dates on your mobile device using the RaceFans F1 Calendar

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2023 F1 season

• Ferrari “quite good” in qualifying but “very difficult” when we lose grip – Leclerc
• F1 ‘could have 32 grands prix today because everyone wants one’ – Domenicali
• “Very frustrating” Australian GP showed where Red Bull had gone wrong – Verstappen
• Sabbatical or retirement? Ricciardo returns to F1 paddock – and questions over his future
• Mercedes made more progress since season began than during winter – Russell