McLaren predicts 'biggest change' of look among F1 teams for 2018

McLaren unveiled an all-new black, orange and white livery for last season as part of a freshening up of its image following the departure of long-time chief Ron Dennis.

"The car's not going to look the same as last year," Brown told.

"Our whole brand, the visibility of McLaren, is going to go to the next level and it's going to be exciting.

"We know what a lot of the other teams are going to look like, but hopefully people will see the biggest change on and off the track at McLaren going into Australia.

"One of the things that McLaren hasn't done in recent years is be a leader.

"With our garage and everything, we look like everyone else. So we need to step up and be the guys in Australia where everyone says, did you see what McLaren did?

"That is what McLaren always was. With our lack of competitiveness, we have kind of blended in. We need to get back to being a team that people are envious of. I feel we are on our way."

When asked if the papaya orange, synonymous with McLaren's early years, will stay, Brown said: "There will be some nod to our history but we're not done with the livery yet because a lot of that is sponsor dependent."