McLaren reveals launch date for MCL35M

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McLaren has confirmed the launch date for its 2021 charger, the papaya squad pulling the covers off its MCL35M on February 15.

McLaren's event will take place at Woking at 19:00 GMT (20:00 CET - 15h00 EST) with the launch show broadcasted live on Sky Sports F1 UK, with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo on site for the presentation.

McLaren is the second team to reveal its launch plans for the 2021 season after Alfa Romeo Racing which confirmed its February 22 presentation last week.

While fans will be excited by Ricciardo's presence at McLaren, the team's switch to Renault to Mercedes power has also created a buzz among its loyal supporters.

Teams are carrying over to 2021 their 2020 chassis, implementing several changes stipulated by the regulations. But the extent of new parts designed for McLaren's 2021 contender means the MCL35M is "essentially" a new car.

Read also: McLaren says 2021 MCL35M 'essentially a new car'

"Whereas every other team will carry over most of its car from last year into this year, our switch to the Mercedes power unit means that's not the case for us," said McLaren production director Piers Thynne.

"It's driven a huge amount of change and, essentially, we've been building a new car. The number of new parts on the MCL35M is about the same as when we built the MCL35."

Yesterday, McLaren shared on social media a short clip of its MCL35M - the 'M' standing for Mercedes - being fired up for the very first time.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.