02.14.19
The McLaren Formula 1 team unveiled its new car livery – fused with AkzoNobel's latest color technology – for the 2019 season.
Racers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz will take charge of the MCL34, which features a twist on the Papaya Spark design that debuted last year. Developed by AkzoNobel's Sikkens brand, the coatings system offers numerous performance and sustainability benefits, all with significantly reduced emissions.
For the new season, scientists and technicians at McLaren and AkzoNobel worked together to develop new, technologically advanced coatings features designed to specially modify the surface characteristics. This will help to reduce drag and contaminant adhesion, as well as improve surface slip and durability.
"Both of us believe in the relentless pursuit of excellence and the technical teams have done an amazing job," said Peter Tomlinson, director of AkzoNobel's Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. "The 2019 car looks fantastic and is a brilliant example of innovation in the fast lane."
This season's livery retains Papaya Spark as the primary color, but the blue – known as Vega Blue – is a slightly different shade. It's an existing McLaren OEM color.T he 2019 coatings system offers numerous performance and sustainability benefits, such as the latest UV curing primer technology, low film weight, a water-based color coat and super-fast clearcoat.
"Our work in the off-season with our trusted partner of 10 years, AkzoNobel, has resulted in a significant 14 percent savings of Papaya Spark compared with last year's livery," said Simon Roberts, COO at McLaren Racing. "Together we are constantly looking to make marginal gains on and off the track and to challenge our teams to innovate and find new technical developments.
"A lot of time has been spent on chasing even the most marginal gains. The teams focused in particular on further paint weight reduction and process improvements to increase the throughput of the paint shop between races."
The first Grand Prix of the new season will take place in Melbourne, Australia, on March 17.
The first Grand Prix of the new season will take place in Melbourne, Australia, on March 17.
