McLaren reveal launch date for 2018 car

McLaren will unveil their car for 2018 next month, the team have confirmed. The wraps will come off the MCL33 on February 23, shortly before the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona.

The new machine will be the first McLaren to feature a Renault power unit, the British team having switched to the French engine supplier following three disappointing seasons with Honda.

McLaren are hoping the change will allow drivers Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne to lift the team back up the grid after the Woking squad finished a lowly ninth in the 2017 constructors' standings.

Ferrari are the only other team to have officially announced a launch date so far. The Scuderia will reveal their new car a day before McLaren on February 22. The first pre-season test starts in Spain the following week, on February 26.