The lights dimmed and the MCL32 sat, under covers for the moment, waiting to reveal itself to the racing world. Simon Lazenby stepped out to address the gathered guests of McLaren and spoke fondly of the history surrounding the team.
Would the rumours of the orange livery be fulfilled?
The room became dark, the speakers boomed into life as snippets of past McLaren cars faded in and zipped out of focus, the excited tones of Murray Walker echoing around the centre to be replaced by the calm voice of Ayrton Senna.
The moment had arrived, the time was now.
Spinning majestically on a dark turntable the bright livery of the MCL32 was revealed for the first time and there was a collected gasp from McLaren fans around the world as the orange sparkled proudly under the studio lights.
Zak Brown strode proudly onto the stage and revealed that he had listened to those fans who wanted to see orange on the car, he understands the history of the team and he knows full well the passion of the fans who not only craved a hark back to a past full of glory but a history that is tinged with so many emotions.
The McLaren MCL32 was revealed to the world today and with it the hope that, finally, the past can become the present and the future can be as successful as the past.
Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce you to McLaren’s challenger for 2017:
McLAREN-HONDA MCL32 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CHASSIS
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
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 wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Rear suspension
Carbon-fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Weight
Overall vehicle weight 728kg (including driver, excluding fuel). Weight distribution between 45.3% and 46.3%
Electronics
McLaren Applied Technologies. Including chassis control, power unit control, data acquisition, sensors, data analysis and telemetry
Instruments
McLaren Applied Technologies dashboard
Greases & Fluids
Castrol grease and hydraulic oil
Brake system
Akebono brake calipers and master cylinders. Akebono ‘brake by wire’ rear brake control system. Carbon discs and pads
Steering
Power-assisted rack and pinion
Tyres
Pirelli P Zero
Race wheels
Enkei
Garage Radio
Kenwood
Paint
AkzoNobel Car Refinishes system using Sikkens products
Cooling Systems
Calsonic Kansei water and oil cooling
POWER UNIT
Type
HONDA RA617H
Minimum weight
145 kg
Primary PU components
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K)
Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H)
Energy Store (ES)
Turbocharger
Control Electronics
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
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
100 kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm)
Fuel consumption
105 kg ‘lights to flag’ regulated fuel capacity limit
Fuel injection
Direct injection, single injector per cylinder, 500 bar max
Pressure charging
Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine, common shaft
Fuel & Lubricant
BP Castrol
ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM
Architecture
Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via Motor Generator Units
Crankshaft coupled electrical MGU-K
Turbocharger coupled electrical MGU-H
Energy Store
Lithium-Ion battery, between 20 and 25 kg
Maximum energy storage, 4 MJ per lap
MGU-K
Maximum speed, 50,000 rpm
Maximum power, 120 kW
Maximum energy recovery, 2 MJ per lap
Maximum energy deployment, 4 MJ per lap
MGU-H
Maximum speed 125,000 rpm
Maximum power, unlimited
Maximum energy recovery, unlimited
Maximum energy deployment, unlimited
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox
Carbon-fibre composite main case, longitudinally mounted
Gear ratios
Eight forward and one reverse
Gear selection
Electro-hydraulically operated seamless shift
Differential
Epicyclic differential withmulti-platelimited slipclutch
Clutch
Electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
Lubricant
Castrol
Neil Simmons
McLaren F1 Editor
Twitter: @world_racing
Photo Credits: courtesy of McLaren Team Stream Live Feed