McLaren shake down MCL36 F1 car at Barcelona ahead of testing
The MCL36, which was recently unveiled at McLaren’s Woking headquarters, hit the circuit for the first time on Monday afternoon, two days before the start of official pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
McLaren has taken the opportunity to use up one of its two filming days for the 2022 season to give its new car a limited 100km run out as a systems check.
It is the latest team to carry out such a shakedown and comes just hours after Haas’ new VF-22 made its on-track debut around the Spanish Grand Prix venue in the morning.
Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, AlphaTauri, Aston Martin, Williams and Alfa Romeo have also completed an initial shakedown or demo run to date.
McLaren’s new challenger features a revised aerodynamic design in line with F1’s revolutionary rules reset, as well as an updated papaya and blue livery.
OK McLaren fans, it’s here. The #MCL36 leaves the garage for the first time! pic.twitter.com/GZpRmsw25X
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 21, 2022
Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will get back behind the wheel of the MCL36 for an extended run out during the three-day Barcelona test which begins on Wednesday.
A second three-day test takes place in Bahrain between March 10-12, before the season-opening race at Sakhir on March 20.
Alpine will become the ninth team to formally launch its 2022 car at an event in Paris on Monday evening, leaving only Alfa Romeo to unveil its livery for the new season on February 27.
