McLaren fans feel ‘fooled’ after seeing the world champions’ 2025 livery at the F1 75 launch event

McLaren were the final team to unveil their 2025 livery at the F1 75 launch event at the O2 Arena in London.

The event saw all 10 teams and all 20 drivers present as they each revealed their new designs for the upcoming season.

Teams showcased their liveries on stage in order of the constructors’ championship standings in 2024 – meaning Sauber went first and McLaren went last as champions.

The Woking-based outfit were the first to reveal their 2025 challenger – the MCL39. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took the car for its first official outing in a secret filming day at Silverstone last week.

McLaren fans will be hoping the MCL39 will be just as quick, if not faster than its predecessor and help guide the team to a drivers’ title and the constructors’ championship. But Norris has not thought about winning the 2025 title despite being an early favourite.

When CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella took off the covers of the show car to display the 2025 livery (none of this year’s cars were used at F1 75), fans could not help but feel disappointed.

McLaren fans feel ‘fooled’ after spotting the similarities between McLaren’s 2024 and 2025 livery

At the filming day at Silverstone, McLaren sported a special cameo livery as they were not allowed to use their 2025 design before F1 75. Although it was a one-off design, fans immediately took a liking to it.

One of the McLaren drivers agreed as Piastri hinted he would ‘try and revive’ the livery at some point. But instead of the cool cameo livery, the defending constructors’ champions have gone for almost a carbon copy of last year’s design.

Taking to the comments of the team’s official Instagram account, fans were not too pleased about continuity.

One fan was not happy to see the cameo livery from Silverstone dropped: “They fooled us with the awesome livery last week.”

Another vented frustration at the other ‘top teams’: “The top teams were lowkey disappointing with their design.”

One fans said: “It’s a nice livery, but it really is just the same [followed by a cry-laughing emoji] car better be bloody fast,” while another echoed these thoughts as they wrote: “CTRL C + CTRL V CAR LET’S GO.”

One fan thought McLaren were copying Red Bull in sticking with the same design: “They are trying Red Bull’s formula to win championships.” Finally, one fan simply wrote: “Where’s the New Car?”

Are McLaren ready to win the 2025 drivers’ championship?

While not seeing a new design on the MCL39 is disappointing for some, many will not be bothered if the car is competitive and worthy of a championship – especially if one of their drivers can dethrone Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman beat Norris to the title by 63 points last season. The Red Bull driver is looking to become only the second driver besides Michael Schumacher to win five consecutive championships.

McLaren are the favourites after ending last season with the fastest package. Norris says he has more belief in himself than in previous years after being branded as a title favourite.

But the Brit will face competition from his teammate, who proved in 2024 that he is not afraid of racing Norris. Guenther Steiner is backing Piastri for the 2025 title, claiming he has the ‘right car’ to do it.

But Piastri feels Verstappen has an advantage as he is Red Bull’s only ‘number one’ driver. With McLaren indecisive as to who is their number one for 2025, the Dutchman could benefit from another intra-team battle in Woking.