Telling detail in McLaren’s livery reveal ahead of Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren will run a one-off livery for the Monaco Grand Prix, but a hidden detail in the design could spell trouble for Daniel Ricciardo.

McLaren will run a one-off livery for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix using the classic Gulf Oil colour scheme.

The British team have ditched their now traditional all-papaya paint job for the blue and orange look made famous on race cars since the late 1960s.

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But in unveiling the slick new design, McLaren opted to showcase Lando Norris’ No. 4 rather than Daniel Ricciardo’s No. 3.

Although there is zero suggestion the Formula 1 team is playing favourites, Norris has seemingly cemented his place as the face of McLaren.

Boys are looking sharp for the #MonacoGP. 👌#GulfXMcLarenpic.twitter.com/OmjwkGkDrj

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 16, 2021

We can't stop staring. 😍@GulfOilIntl#GulfXMcLarenpic.twitter.com/ZHURptLPol

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 16, 2021

The British driver is competing in his third season with McLaren, while Ricciardo has only represented the team in four races to date.

Norris is currently 17 points ahead of Ricciardo on the F1 ladder, having bettered the Australian in three of the four races in 2021.

Although Ricciardo boasts a wealth of experience in the sport, Norris has proven the superior driver thus far.

However, the 31-year-old West Australian will undoubtedly continue adjusting to the new car as the season progresses.

“It’s like being a beginner all over again, being tutored every corner,” Ricciardo said on Sunday, per the official F1 website.

“Obviously the feedback I’m getting from the team is good and they’re obviously trying to get me into some good habits with this car and the characteristics.

“So things like that, whether it’s braking or the way you get on throttle, it’s something unique, and I guess I’m still having to be a little bit conscious about that and teach myself enough that it does become natural.”

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia.

Reaction to McLaren’s one-off livery

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown believes the new colours will make his team’s cars the “star of the show” for F1’s most famous race.

“Given our history together, between McLaren and Gulf, we thought we should revisit it and it became pretty obvious that we should do something like this,” Brown said.

“You all know how iconic the Gulf livery is, and then we tasked our teams with coming up with something that captured something really special.

“At this point we only intend to run it at Monaco. I think if you are going to have a special livery, you need to keep it special.

“I’m excited to see fan reaction and then Monaco I think it’s going to be the star of the show.”

Norris added: “It’s beautiful. I think everyone can agree it will be the best-looking car on the grid by a very long way.

“I said to Zak it’s even better than our current livery. It’s a cool opportunity for both of us, and especially at Monaco, so I think it brings it all together, it’s pretty unique.”

Ricciardo said: “Of course I love it. It’s cool. I didn’t need another reason to get excited to Monaco so I’ve got to control myself and save some energy.

“So long as you look good, that’s the first box you’ve got to tick and we’re certainly doing that, so I’m really excited.”

Lando Norris of Great Britain.

Brown rubbishes bad luck claim

Brown is hoping the paint scheme does not bring bad luck, considering the last F1 team to run a completely one-off livery was Mercedes in 2019.

Mercedes bosses were left red-faced when superstar Lewis Hamilton finished the German Grand Prix in ninth while teammate Valtteri Bottas crashed out seven laps before the finish.

“I think that had to be a coincidence with Mercedes. The weather was tricky so the drivers were chucking it off the track,” Brown said.

“They were celebrating an anniversary of some sort. But I think that was just a coincidence.

“I think when these guys put their helmet on they’re going to forget what the race car looks like, so I’m not worried about that at all.”

The Monaco Grand Prix will commence on Sunday, May 23 at 11pm AEST.

— with The Sun