Fans disappointed with ’new’ McLaren livery

Many McLaren fans were reportedly disappointed on Thursday when the British team pulled the wraps off its works Honda-powered MP4-30.

A report at Brazil’s Globo said the Woking squad had "raised expectations" about the appearance of the 2015 car by publishing videos "noting the past history of the Honda partnership and hinting that the MP4-30 would be red and white".

In fact, the car was launched in its customary silver and black, with only pronounced flashes of red from the tip of the nose to the cockpit.

"Quickly, many disappointed fans expressed their frustration, making criticisms and jokes," the Globo report added.

"Others compared the MP4-30 to the Marussia of last year, this year’s Force India or the Hispania driven by Bruno Senna in 2010."

Also striking was the dearth of new sponsors, with the Fernando Alonso-linked Santander having apparently disappeared and Boss moving to Mercedes.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport also pointed out that McLaren still has no title sponsor, despite talks with the Kevin Magnussen-linked Danish brand Lego and also Rexona.

"The deodorant manufacturer is now with Williams," the German report noted.

Auto Motor und Sport did, however, describe the 2015 McLaren as technically "elegant", due in part to the arrival of the Red Bull aerodynamicist, Peter Prodromou.

Team boss Eric Boullier is quoted by Brazil’s Totalrace: "We have changed the car’s philosophy, but the McLaren DNA is still there."