With just 20 days to go until lights out in Bahrain and Oscar Piastri’s landmark debut race in Formula 1, the 21-year-old Australian today helped unveil McLaren’s 2023 F1 car in front of the world’s media.

Piastri, who won consecutive FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 championships in 2020 and 2021 respectively, pulled the covers off McLaren’s 2023 car, the MCL60, at the team’s Woking HQ.

In a break from previous naming convention, the car is a celebration of 60 years of McLaren Racing. New Zealand born racing driver Bruce McLaren founded McLaren Racing in 1963 and since then the team has won 20 Formula 1 world championships and 183 Formula 1 grands prix.

The MCL60 features a striking papaya orange and blue livery, the colours first carried by the team in the 1960s, which have since become a team favourite since their reintroduction in 2018.

Piastri, and his British teammate, Lando Norris, will give the MCL60 its official on-track debut at the official F1 pre-season test in Bahrain on 23 February ahead of the opening race of the season at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix on 5 March.

Oscar Piastri - “I’m delighted to get started with McLaren and make my F1 debut this season. The off-season has been great for me, and I’ve been working hard to prepare for the upcoming year. The time I’ve spent at the factory and in the sim has been enjoyable and productive, and everyone in the team has been welcoming. I’ve settled in well and I’m now fully focused on getting out on track in Bahrain.

The MCL60 is very impressive and it’s going to be a memorable year, not just for me in my rookie season but also as a team celebrating 60 years of McLaren Racing. The challenge ahead is an exciting one and I’m looking forward to driving with Lando as we work hard to pick up points throughout the season.”

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