We already covered the first batch of Formula 1 race car revelations for the 2018 season last week, and we are now bringing you the latest designs from the remaining teams, namely McLaren, Toro Rosso and Force India.
McLaren
The MCL33 is the first ever Renault-powered race car in McLaren’s 52 years of racing history, after the Honda collaboration ended last year. The livery has been freshened up too, with the return to the iconic papaya orange and blue raced by founder Bruce McLaren 50 years ago and recently borrowed for Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 entrany, while the halo is painted in black. The MCL33 will once again be driven by Alonso and teammate Stoffel Vandoorne, and it seems that the team is adjusting well around them. “The McLaren team was created by a brave pioneer, and has had bravery at its core ever since,” said Zak Brown, Executive Director of McLaren Technology Group. “Whether it’s been with brave drivers, brave leaders or brave fortune, this team has always fought back.” That is the spirt that race enthusiasts would like to see.
Toro Rosso
While McLaren and the Honda power unit never really worked in the past three years, Toro Rosso welcomed the Japanese supplier with open arms onto the STR 13, which was officially unveiled moments before the pre-season testing started in Barcelona after a sneak peak last week during a filming day on Misano. “It’s an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before, so to partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great,” said Team Principal Franz Tost. The livery is almost identical to last year’s car, but what is important lies underneath. STR 13 will be piloted by rookies Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.
Force India
Force India was the final team to launch its car. The VJM11 was unveiled by racers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon directly on the pit lane, again just before the testing in Barcelona. As explained by Technical Director Andrew Green, “The DNA of the car is still very much that of last year’s car” and the Mercedes-powered VJM11 features tighter sidepods in addition to the new structures required by the regulations. The livery continues with a pink theme, but at a closer look you will see the lack of Force India branding on the car, as the team is considering still whether to effect the name change (potentially to Force One) before the debut race in Melbourne for better sponsorship opportunities next year.
