McLaren Heads Back to the ’60s With 2017 MCL32

Images provided by McLaren

The McLaren-Honda MCL32 is definitely a 2017 Formula 1 car, bristling with all manner of aerodynamic appendages, but it has something distinctly retro about it – the return of McLaren’s iconic orange in the livery.

It took McLaren a few years to find their way to their first livery that would become truly iconic. In 1968 they wrapped their works Formula 1 cars, driven by Bruce McLaren and 1967 Formula 1 champion Denny Hulme, in a ‘papaya’ orange livery. With the new livery, came their first Formula 1 triumphs.

The 1968 car, the M7A, debuted in the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, which Bruce McLaren won from pole position. Denny Hulme took another non-championship round when he won the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone, but the team would have to wait until June to pick up their first championship victory.

Bruce McLaren won the Belgian Grand Prix after a thrilling dice between Jackie Stewart and Denny Hulme was broken up by Hulme suffering driveshaft problems. Stewart ran out of fuel on the second-to-last lap, the war of attrition leaving McLaren in the lead. It was the team’s first championship Formula 1 victory and, sadly, Bruce’s last Formula 1 win.

McLaren cars ran the orange livery through to 1972 when the team picked up Yardley sponsorship, relegating it to a secondary colour before dropping it and going on to create a few more iconic liveries. The colour has appeared here and there over the years, but after years of silver, black and chrome the 2017 car is picking it up in a big way.

The McLaren-Honda MCL32 endured a rough start to testing this morning, but we’re interested to see it progress through the season and hope to see the team return to competitiveness and shake up the status quo a little. And we’re always happy to see Alonso at his best.

What do you think of the new livery? Can it compete with the classics?

Images provided by McLaren