MCL36

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl says he is confident Daniel Ricciardo will be fit enough to contest next weekend’s Formula 1 season-opener in Bahrain. 

Daniel Ricciardo remains too unwell to take part in Formula 1’s final pre-season test in Bahrain, with teammate Lando Norris continuing with driving duties on Friday. 

Lando Norris fears the brake issues which hampered McLaren’s start to Formula 1’s second pre-season test in Bahrain is “not going to be an easy fix”. 

Lando Norris says the increased weight of Formula 1’s 2022 cars makes them feel “a bit more sluggish” to drive. 

Lando Norris put McLaren top of the timing sheets on the first day of running at Formula 1’s opening pre-season test at Barcelona. 

Daniel Ricciardo hopes to be able to drive “as free as a bird” during the 2022 Formula 1 season after learning from his struggles last year.

McLaren technical director James Key says the team can be “proud” of revealing its genuine 2022 Formula 1 car but admitted some sensitive elements of the MCL36 were hidden in its launch. 

McLaren is manufacturing fewer spare parts for its MCL36 challenger to have greater development flexibility during the 2022 Formula 1 season, including bringing an upgrade at the first race. 

McLaren has become the latest Formula 1 team to carry out a fire-up of its new car ahead of the 2022 season.