The McLaren Formula 1 team has revealed the livery for its 2026 car, the MCL40, at the Bahrain International Circuit ahead of the new regulations era. The design retains the championship-winning papaya orange palette from 2025, signaling the team's intent to defend its titles. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri joined team leaders in showcasing the updated look.
McLaren's unveiling of the MCL40 livery marks a key moment as the team prepares to defend its 2025 drivers' and constructors' championships under Formula 1's overhauled 2026 rules. The event, streamed live from the Bahrain International Circuit on February 9, 2026, featured CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, alongside chief marketing officer Lou McEwen and chief designer Rob Marshall.
The livery continues McLaren's tradition of carrying forward successful designs, blending papaya orange with anthracite and subtle teal accents. It mirrors the championship-winning schemes of recent years and extends to the drivers' fire suits, with Norris sporting the number 1 as reigning champion and Piastri the number 81. Mastercard's presence is more prominent following its upgrade to title sponsorship, the first for McLaren since Vodafone over a decade ago.
The MCL40 had its initial track debut during a shakedown at Barcelona late in January 2026, running a temporary grey and black scheme to test the Mercedes-supplied power unit. The full livery will appear during promotional filming on February 10, before the first pre-season test from February 11-13 at Bahrain, followed by another session on February 18-20.
Reflecting on 2025, Norris secured his first drivers' title in Abu Dhabi, edging out Max Verstappen by two points, while Piastri finished third with seven victories. McLaren clinched the constructors' crown in September at Singapore. "It’s fantastic to reveal the livery for our 2026 challenger, the MCL40," Stella said. "While we have the benefit of the lessons learned from our success... our past achievements count for nothing."
Brown emphasized the design's balance of aesthetics and aerodynamics: "The iconic papaya continues on the MCL40... We’ve balanced creative direction with aero considerations." Norris expressed excitement for the new era, and Piastri noted feeling "stronger than ever."
As an independent team facing manufacturer-backed rivals, McLaren aims to leverage its lineup and partnerships for a strong start.
