The reigning world champions lift the veils on the MCL40, releasing the first renderings of the 2026 single-seater in the livery with which it will take to the track in the Barcelona tests. The Woking team painted themselves silver for the occasion, exactly the opposite of what was done in 1997, when the MP4-12 took part in the tests with a papaya colour, and then competed in silver shades. Rivals are now waiting to be able to see the MCL40 in person, probably already on Tuesday. Here is the MCL40 The new single-seater from Woking will take to the track in Barcelona with a black and silver livery, as can be seen from the renderings published by the team. The first digital images of the MCL40 are quite approximate, as can be seen above all from the appendages in front of the bottom, even more so considering that McLaren has expressed its intention to present itself at the tests with a configuration very similar to the one with which it will then contest the Australian Grand Prix. For the moment, the images are limited to showing push-rod suspensions at both the front and rear, awaiting confirmation from the real car. The MCL40 has not undergone any shakedown and its baptism on the track will take place directly during the Barcelona tests. The debut is expected between Tuesday and Wednesday, with Andrea Stella explaining the team’s intention to take as much time as possible to dedicate to development. Ferrari will also take to the track no earlier than Tuesday, albeit for different reasons, having already presented the car last Friday in Fiorano. No delays The postponed debut of the MCL40, however, is not due to any delay in the production and preparation phase, as instead happened to Williams, forced to miss the entire test session in Barcelona. The new McLaren has already been assembled, so much so that last week it was on the dynamic benches of AVL in Austria. That of the world champions is a strategy studied in advance, forcing their rivals to wait an extra day to see the new creature from Woking live.
