McLaren sets launch date for 2020 F1 car after Norris 'leak'

McLaren has become the third team to confirm its launch date for the 2020 Formula 1 season, revealing the date in a live video with Lando Norris.

The McLaren MCL35 car will be unveiled on February 13th, with formal plans to be confirmed by the team at a later date.

McLaren will present its car two days after Ferrari (February 11) and one day before the Alpha Tauri squad – rebranded from Toro Rosso for 2020 – unveils its 2020 challenger on February 14.

After a four-minute live stream on YouTube giving a brief tour around the McLaren Technology Centre, Norris ended the video sitting with members of the marketing and PR team to discuss plans.

“What’s the meeting about?” Norris asked, before being told it was about “car launch”.

“I heard it’s on the 13th of Feb,” Norris said. “It is, right? Zak [Brown] told me it’s on the 13th.”

A reply of “yeah” was heard before Norris was told he needed to turn the camera off.

None of the other seven teams have confirmed the launch dates for their cars, but all will unveil ahead of the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona on February 18.

McLaren will enter the 2020 season looking to build on an impressive 2019 campaign that saw it finish as the leading midfield team, taking fourth place in the constructors' championship behind the leading three outfits of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Norris and teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. enjoyed impressive maiden campaigns at McLaren, prompting the team to confirm they would be returning for this year early.

The new F1 season begins on March 15 in Australia.