LONDON (AFP) - Double world champion Fernando Alonso said he was "excited but also apprehensive" as McLaren became the final major Formula One team to unveil their car for the new campaign on Friday.
The British team has endured a miserable run in recent years but after ditching beleaguered engine partner Honda and teaming up with Renault they will be desperate to make a bigger impression in 2018.
Their new car sports a changed livery from last year's design, with an all-orange bodywork and a blue front and rear wing.
Alonso, 36, looked certain to leave McLaren last year following a disappointing season but decided to extend his deal after the team terminated their miserable relationship with Honda.
Alonso will once again be partnered by Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, who enters his second season with the team. British teenager Lando Norris joins as McLaren's reserve driver.
McLaren, a winner of 20 combined drivers' and constructors' championships, have not won a race since 2012 and have not had a car finish in the podium places for four years. Lewis Hamilton won the last of their driver titles a decade ago.
But the team are optimistic about their chances ahead of the season opener in Melbourne next month.
The new car will be put through its paces during a filming day in Spain on Friday before the opening test of the winter, which starts in Barcelona next week.
*********Formula One team McLaren's new car for the 2018 season features a new all-orange livery.