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McLaren finally accepts it is a work in progress

WOKING, U.K -- A lot has changed at McLaren in the 12 months between the unveiling of last year's car and its predecessor, the MCL34.

The most obvious was who wasn't present at the launch, held at the team's Woking headquarters on Thursday -- Fernando Alonso was absent and in his place was the new line-up of Carlos Sainz and the rookie Lando Norris. Both stood in new-look blue overalls, although the car retained its predominantly orange paint scheme of the year before. Beyond Alonso, who this year turns his attention towards a second attempt to win the Indy 500, the most noticeable difference was the change in mood around the unveiling of the new car.