Lando Norris, a driver for the iconic Formula 1 team McLaren, has recently requested the return of the team’s famous silver and red livery from their championship-winning days. In a conversation with GQ’s Adam Baidawi, Norris revealed that the classic livery was what initially sparked his interest in the sport when he was a child. Despite McLaren’s papaya color scheme being introduced in 2017, Norris has tried multiple times to bring back the classic design.
McLaren’s silver and red livery was famously seen during Lewis Hamilton’s first championship-winning season in 2008, driving the McLaren MP4-23 car. The design has been regarded by many Formula 1 fans as one of the greatest liveries in the sport’s history. McLaren stuck with this design until 2013, after which they reverted to the silver and black color scheme of the previous era, before eventually incorporating black, silver, and red.
Despite the success and history of McLaren, the team has recently suffered a barren spell, similar to other iconic and successful Formula 1 teams such as Ferrari and Williams. Williams last won the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title double in 1997, while Ferrari last won a title in 2008, clinching the Constructors’ crown. McLaren is now looking to follow in their footsteps by returning to the top of Formula 1, with Norris hoping to emulate the success of his compatriot, Lewis Hamilton.
However, the start of the 2023 season has been a frustrating one for both Norris and Hamilton. The latter had prepared to challenge for a record eighth World Championship this season, but a pair of fifth-place finishes, combined with Red Bull’s dominant pace, have made that goal seem unlikely. On the other hand, Norris has yet to score a point this season, with his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri sharing the same fate.
Despite the setbacks, McLaren is pushing to return to the championship scene in the coming years. In the meantime, Norris continues to push for the return of the iconic silver and red livery that ignited his passion for the sport. With both drivers hoping to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming races, the 2023 season promises to be an exciting one for the team and their fans.
