McLaren MP4-28 launch: First pictures and video

2013 F1 cars

January 31, 2013 at 11:15 am by
128 comments

The McLaren MP4-28 was launched today by the team at the McLaren Technology Centre.

The MP4-28 will be raced by Jenson Button and new team mate Sergio Perez, who joins the team from Sauber.

“With Jenson and Checo, and this fantastic-looking new car, I believe we’re extremely well prepared for another competitive season,” said team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

“Jenson is driving better than ever – he’s the most experienced driver in Formula 1, but he makes every ounce of that experience count: he’s peerless in his ability to read a race and one of the very fastest drivers out there. He’s a consummate professional, too, and will revel in working hard to drive this team through the year.

“Checo joins us after a sensational 2012 season and he’s immediately proved that he’s intelligent, modest, hard-working and, make no mistake; very, very quick. Of course, there’ll be a learning curve to overcome as he gets used to our organisation, particularly during the hustle and bustle of the early-season race weekends, but he understands that we are placing no pressure on him.

“This is an exciting time for the whole team. In our 50th anniversary season, I want Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to underline why we are the finest grand prix team in the world.”

As McLaren reach their 50th anniversary this year the team displayed their racing heritage before unveiling their latest Formula One car. An M8D Can-Am sportscar began the parade of cars, followed by a 1974 M23 of the type Emerson Fittipaldi won the world championship with.

An MP4-4 from 1988, as driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, was followed by the 1995 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR.

The pre-launch show concluded with two Mercedes-powered cars: an MP4-13 from 1998 and the MP4-23 Lewis Hamilton used to win the 2008 world championship.

McLaren MP4-28 launch pictures

McLaren MP4-28 launch video

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128 comments on McLaren MP4-28 launch: First pictures and video

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    Guccio (@concalvez00) said on 31st January 2013, 11:25

    Anyone seen the presentation ?, Button looked a bit insecure and the whole introduction was a bit awkward

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  2. William Brierty said on 31st January 2013, 11:25

    Should’ve been called the MP4-JB! In fact the launch should’ve ended with: The MP4-JB – Never knowingly rear-limited. Achingly beautiful though.

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    photozen (@photozen) said on 31st January 2013, 11:25

    It looks very similar to last year’s 27 model, but it will be interesting to see more close up images of the side pods, rear wing and other parts. I agree, more floor showing towards the rear, etc too Jenson does seem happy about it too so we will see.

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    tandrews (@tomand95) said on 31st January 2013, 11:26

    Anyone notice is the lead up to the revealing on the live stream one of the hosts said the Aus GP was in South Australia and then said something about Perez coming from South America?

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    sam3110 (@sam3110) said on 31st January 2013, 11:26

    http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af321/samfuzzy19/mclaren2013_zps202f538a.png

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    Calum (@calum) said on 31st January 2013, 11:26

    7th year of Vodafone Rocket Red and Chrome – just one year short of the West black and silver livery, but still a long way of the continuity of the famous white with red chevrons.

    Also noticed bigger Tag Heuer logos on the rear wing endplate and on the driver’s racesuit – that’s a deal in it’s 29th year!!

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      GeeMac (@geemac) said on 31st January 2013, 11:41

      Tag are going on a massive advertising and PR push here in the Middle East, the bigger branding on the car could be an extension of that programme on a more global scale. Or a reward for staying on as a team partner for so long! :p

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    JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1) said on 31st January 2013, 11:29

    Any knowledge of the suspension setup at the front?

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    deiwi (@deiwi) said on 31st January 2013, 11:31

    Apart of nose, front and rear wing and the rear part of sidepods it’s MP4/27. Which is fine because why would you change dramatically something that works so fine. I can’t wait for the first roll-out.

    This car reveal was sort of special for me since they read my tweet. Yay!

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    disjunto (@disjunto) said on 31st January 2013, 11:34

    Was hoping for a change in livery, not a fan of the chrome, and it’s getting a little old now

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      moshbeard (@moshbeard) said on 31st January 2013, 11:37

      I think it looks good but since Mercedes came back I’ve felt they should change. The silver is a Mercedes thing and McLaren should distance themselves from it a bit to help protect their own identity.

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        John H (@john-h) said on 31st January 2013, 12:35

        Agreed, although perhaps their saving this for big changes next year. Hope so though, the existing livery is a bit like McLaren in some ways, how can I put this… a little boring?

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    Girts (@girts) said on 31st January 2013, 11:37

    It’s still early days (to say the least) but I feel this might be the championship winning car. The new tyres should suit Button and this is the first time when is the undisputed team leader at McLaren. I guess McLaren have done their best to make the car to Button’s liking and we remember what happened the last time when he had a quick car where he felt absolutely comfortable.

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      JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1) said on 31st January 2013, 11:46

      Indeed. Two years I can remember this. Obviously 2009, but also the last time he was a ‘team leader’ was 2004, in which he only finished behind the Ferraris in the final standings, in which was a dominant year for the scarlet team.

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      Jeanrien (@jeanrien) said on 31st January 2013, 15:28

      The tyres will probably be a relief for him, it was not his style to be harsh on them to get into the T° range, and below the optimal T° they were degrading pretty quickly thus not taking any advantage at all being gentle with them … could be a different story this year.
      Plus he should have the devlopment going his way and we know that Jenson is someone who knows what he wants and needs. Could be him coming back to the top

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  11. Avatar Image

    Abnash (@abnash) said on 31st January 2013, 11:38

    Interesting to see how they reverted back to the pre Abu Dhabi Young Drivers Test front wing, no more vertical fins. Weird because i thought that was one of the biggest reasons why they were so fast in Austin and Sao Paulo.

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      Lauri (@f1lauri) said on 31st January 2013, 11:41

      I bet the front wing, coanda-exhaust elements and many other smaller aero-devices will change a lot for Australia’s season start! You don’t want to give out any small details to the opposition. But general ideas and looks – its fine, cause you can’t copy them – like the “kidney” air intakes, nosecone shape etc.

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      Nick.UK (@nick-uk) said on 31st January 2013, 11:42

      @abnash To be honest, the car they launch isn’t really very useful. I doubt it has the wings and parts on it that they actually intend to use in the first test. Otherwise they are just gifting all the other teams nice close up shots of all their new ideas.

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  12. Avatar Image

    Nick.UK (@nick-uk) said on 31st January 2013, 11:40

    Not much of a launch article. One picture?

    I’ll assume more are inbound.

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    Ean (@ean) said on 31st January 2013, 11:45

    Paint job is getting borring

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      Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 31st January 2013, 12:08

      Why change what works for the sake of changing it?

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      GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk) said on 31st January 2013, 13:44

      But its their brand image, all the way down to their road car logo. They are a much bigger company now than just the F1 team so its unlikely to change much now.

      Ferrari’s is getting really old now…why don’t they change it!?

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        John H (@john-h) said on 31st January 2013, 15:16

        McLaren are silver because of the Mercedes engines, so no it’s not like Ferrari at all – especially seen as this is the first season McLaren are paying Mercedes for it.

        If McLaren do have a ‘traditional’ colour then it’s orange. It would certainly give them more identity than using one from another car manufacturer.

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  14. Avatar Image

    Force Maikel (@force-maikel) said on 31st January 2013, 11:52

    The only major changes seems to be that font pull rod front suspension and the sidepods. Oh and there is no modesty panel as I’ve seen someone sugest above.

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  15. Avatar Image

    mole (@mole) said on 31st January 2013, 11:52

    Sidepods look conspicuously clean, bet there’s some gadgetry to come there at the last test

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