The new 4x2 left-hand drive trucks will stand out in the paddock thanks to their striking Mammoth Tree Metallic grey paintwork, featuring a flash of McLaren’s traditional papaya orange along the swage line. They have been supplied as part of a long-standing partnership with the Woking-based F1 team.
Andy Collett, key account manager at Volvo Trucks, worked closely with McLaren to tailor the new vehicles for optimum efficiency, supporting the FIA’s goals for F1 to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Ian Barnard, transport manager at McLaren Racing, says: “F1 is moving to a model of ultra-efficient logistics and travel, and these new Volvos represent one of the first steps in that process. “The trucks were delivered in March, but we’ve been eagerly waiting for the season to get underway so we could put them into operation. Now we’ve got the green light for the first race, we’re hoping for a very busy summer and autumn supporting as much racing as possible!”
The new fleet includes seven Volvo FH with I-Save tractor units for transporting race team equipment, introducing Volvo’s most fuel-efficient heavy truck to McLaren for the first time. These medium chassis height 4x2s combine Volvo’s powerful 493bhp Euro VI Step D engine with turbocompounding and updated fuel-efficiency features.
McLaren’s lead truck, which pulls a bespoke race car transporter trailer, also benefits from an I-Shift dual clutch to help smooth out gear changes, and Volvo Dynamic Steering.
The remaining 17 FH 4x2 tractor units are powered by 532bhp engines and are built on Volvo’s XLow chassis, ensuring the optimum fifth wheel height for the team’s mega cube trailers. These vehicles are used primarily to transport hospitality equipment to each event.
All 24 trucks feature a huge specification list, including Volvo’s Dynafleet fleet management suite, tyre pressure monitoring system, TomTom navigation, I-See predictive cruise control, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and lane changing support, which uses radar technology to scan the passenger side for other road users – providing additional safety for left-hand drive vehicles running in the UK. Drivers also enjoy a sumptuous on-board specification inside each Globetrotter XL sleeper cab.
The new fleet has been supplied on a Volvo Gold Contract which includes all preventive maintenance, repairs and roadside assistance. Each truck is expected to cover around 12,000 miles per season.
Commenting on the experience of working with Volvo, Barnard adds: “This is our fifth year running an all-Volvo fleet and the backup both in the UK and across Europe has been amazing. We’ve never had a problem with one of the trucks, but we’ve called Volvo Action Service out to help with trailer issues and they have always got us moving again, and fast. It’s a huge weight off our minds.”