AkzoNobel adds a colorful sparkle to the new McLaren-Honda Formula 1 car

The 2017 McLaren-Honda Formula 1 racing car was recently launched, when fans caught their first glimpse of the MCL32’s new Tarocco Orange livery – a color developed by AkzoNobel in conjunction with McLaren-Honda.

The company’s color expertise has enabled the world championship winning Formula 1 team to maintain links to their 1960s roots and heritage, while bringing a new image and sparkle. The new Tarocco Orange color provided a striking contrast to matt black and gloss white finish when the new car was launched today at the McLaren Thought Leadership Centre, in Woking, UK.

“Our color and coatings expertise shows up in many unexpected places, even in Formula 1,” said Peter Tomlinson, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes business. “We share a passion with McLaren for creating efficient, high performance technology. McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team is known for their iconic livery and the new color will add a new chapter to this, which we are proud to be part of.”

The two companies have been working closely together since 2008, when AkzoNobel first became official supplier of paint solutions to the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. McLaren-Honda will use the company’s premium Sikkens brand for its Formula 1 cars for the whole of the 2017 season, which starts in Melbourne, Australia, on March 26.

Added Jonathan Neale, COO of McLaren Technology Group: “Since McLaren began its partnership with AkzoNobel, we’ve always been looking at ways to push paint technology to its furthest extent. We’ve already explored the practical limits of chrome finishing, reducing our carbon footprint and reducing curing times. Now, with the McLaren-Honda MCL32, we’re really leveraging AkzoNobel’s colour expertise and technology. The results are stunning.

“We’ve also made significant progress in reducing the average curing time of bodywork parts by more than half, and lowering the paint shop’s carbon footprint by up to 80 percent. We will continue working with AkzoNobel on further innovations as we investigate coating possibilities, both for now and for the future.”

The 2017 MCL32 will be driven by Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and Coatings Company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 45,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.