McLaren Formula 1 Team: MCL39 2025
A Consistent Mark of Success
McLaren’s most triumphant periods are rich with unforgettable moments, each underpinned by a distinctive and consistent livery design. When Emerson Fittipaldi arrived for the 1975 season opener, fresh off his 1974 championship win, his M23 looked remarkably familiar. This trend continued with champions like Hunt, Prost, Senna, Häkkinen, and Hamilton, who all saw a similar continuity in their cars’ appearance after securing titles.
While each season brought minor refinements and subtle evolutions to the car’s aesthetic, the fundamental design concept endured throughout these eras of sustained success. It was only when an era naturally concluded that a new livery emerged to take its place.
Our current car follows this same principle. You might have noticed subtle updates – perhaps revised driver numbers or a new race seat – but the overarching design concept remains unchanged. We believe this reflects our current position: we’re embarking on a new, significant chapter in McLaren’s illustrious history, and this very design is poised to become the defining visual of this era, much like the iconic liveries that marked our past achievements.
Monocoque | Carbon-fibre composite, incorporating driver controls and fuel cell |
Safety structures | Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact resistant construction and anti-penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure, front and rear roll structures, halo secondary roll structure, driver headrest protection and safety seat |
Bodywork | Carbon-fibre composite, including engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing with driver-operated drag reduction system |
Front suspension | Carbon-fibre / titanium suspension legs, pullrod operating inboard torsion bar, spring and damper system |
Rear suspension | Carbon-fibre / titanium suspension legs, pushrod operating inboard torsion bar, spring and damper system |
Weight | Overall vehicle weight 800 kg (including driver, excluding fuel) |
Weight distribution between | 44.6% and 46.1% on front axle |
Electronics | McLaren Applied. Including chassis control, power unit control, data acquisition, sensors, data analysis |
Instruments | McLaren Applied steering wheel display |
Brake system | Six piston brake calipers with front / rear master cylinders ‘Brake by wire’ rear brake control system Carbon-carbon ventilated discs and pads |
Steering | Power-assisted rack and pinion |
Tyres | Pirelli P Zero F1. Six compounds in the pool. Pirelli select three for each event. |
Race wheels | BBS standardised design 18” magnesium wheels |
Paint | AkzoNobel Sikkens products |
Cooling systems | Charge air, engine oil, gearbox oil, hydraulic oil, water, and ERS cooling systems |
Additive Manufacturing | Stratasys 3D printing & additive manufacturing |
Power Unit type | Mercedes-AMG M16 E Performance |
Minimum weight | 151kg |
Primary PU components | Internal combustion engine (ICE) Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K) Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H) Turbocharger (TC) Energy Store (ES) Control Electronics (CE) |
Capacity | 1.6 litres |
Cylinders | Six |
Bank angle | 90 degree vee angle |
No of valves | 24 |
Max speed | 15,000 rpm |
Max fuel flow rate | 100kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm) |
Fuel injection | High-pressure direct injection (max 500 bar, one injector/cylinder) |
Pressure charging | Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine, on a common shaft. Max rpm Exhaust Turbine 125,000 rpm |
Gearbox | Carbon-fibre composite gearbox casing, longitudinally mounted change gear cluster |
Gear ratios | Eight forward and one reverse |
Gear selection | Electro-hydraulically operated seamless shift |
Differential | Limited slip friction clutch epicyclic |
Clutch | Electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate |