F1: McLaren plans eventual livery change

Related Stories

McLaren will change the livery of its Formula 1 car, says chief Ron Dennis, but only when big sponsors come in to justify the switch.

The silver, black and red color scheme that features on the new Honda-powered MP4-30 has been met with a lukewarm reaction from fans who have complained that it is not enough of a departure from the team's Mercedes days. Asked about the matter on the opening day of pre-season testing at Jerez, Dennis explained that he was not willing to embrace a bold change of colors simply for the sake of it.

"We have had the same [discussions about livery] inside the team: all of these people were saying, why don't we make it orange, because that was the old color of McLaren?" he said. "Well, I say, 'You just said it – it was the old color of McLaren. Why the hell do we want to go backwards?'

"So what do you do? Do you create an aesthetically pleasing design? But for what purpose? This is the livery of McLaren. It has always been a combination of these colors – and it will only change for commercial reasons. It won't change just to make a few people in the company happier because they want it orange or they want it yellow."

Dennis said he fully understood the complaints about the colors, but reckoned in the longer term it will result in a better situation when big sponsors come on board.

"It will be far more recognized if we suddenly come out with a lime green car for the following reason: you will all know that we have a great deal of money coming in. So why would you react to Twitter [complaints]?" he said.

"Yes we could change color. Yes we could do something more daring. Yes we could do all these things. But give me a reason why? If it is just to make something more aesthetically pleasing, that is not enough reason for me.

"Don't worry – it will change. But I will not say when."

Originally on Autosport.com