The McLaren Formula 1 team, in conjunction with AkzoNobel’s latest colour technology, presented its new car livery for the 2019 season in February.
Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, the team’s young racing talents, will be in charge of the MCL34 which now features a new twist on its Papaya Spark design that debut last year.
The coatings system, developed by AkzoNobel’s Sikkens brand, features several performance and sustainability benefits, and additionally has significantly reduced emissions.
Scientists and technicians at AkzoNobel and McLaren worked together to design the new, technologically advanced coatings incorporate specially modified surface characteristics. Besides improving surface slip and durability, this will also help to decrease drag and contaminant adhesion. The technology focuses on increasing performance on and off the track.
“We’re really excited about the new system we’ve developed with the experts at McLaren,” says Peter Tomlinson, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. “Both of us believe in the relentless pursuit of excellence and the technical teams have done an amazing job. The 2019 car looks fantastic and is a brilliant example of innovation in the fast lane.”
Papaya Spark remains the primary colour for the 2019 season livery. Vega Blue, an existing McLaren colour, has replaced the previous shade of blue on the car.
Some of the performance and sustainability benefits offered by the 2019 coatings system are the latest UV curing primer technology, low film weight, a water-based color coat and super-fast clearcoat, among others.
The 2019 coatings system offers numerous performance and sustainability benefits, such as the latest UV curing primer technology, low film weight, a water-based color coat and super-fast clearcoat.
“The MCL34 once again looks brilliant in its distinctive Papaya Spark livery. Our work in the off-season with our trusted partner of ten years, AkzoNobel, has resulted in a significant 14% savings of Papaya Spark compared with last year’s livery. Together we are constantly looking to make marginal gains on and off the track and to challenge our teams to innovate and find new technical developments. I’m really pleased with this season’s result,” says Simon Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at McLaren Racing.
“A lot of time has been spent on chasing even the most marginal gains. The teams focused in particular on further paint weight reduction and process improvements to increase the throughput of the paint shop between races,” adds Tomlinson.
McLaren has been partnering with AkzoNobel since the company’s Sikkens brand became its official paint supplier for the F1 team in 2008.
The first Grand Prix of the new season is scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia, on March 17.