McLaren complete first fire-up of Mercedes-powered MCL35M

McLaren’s engineers have been busy boys and girls over the winter, working hard to adapt their MCL35 chassis to accommodate the team’s new Mercedes power units ahead of the 2021 season.

And the fruits of their labour have now been heard around the world, with McLaren releasing footage of the MCL35M’s first fire-up – traditionally a landmark moment in the gestation of a new car.

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With McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andeas Seidl watching on, the Mercedes power unit in the MCL35M burst into life at their Woking factory, less than two months before the car is due on track at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 26-28 – where it will be piloted by McLaren’s updated line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.

Check out the video of the McLaren MCL35M’s fire-up below.