McLaren Unveils Papaya Livery for 2026 MCL40 Formula 1 Challenger Ahead of Bahrain Testing

Bahrain: McLaren Racing has officially revealed the livery for the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team’s MCL40, its challenger for the 2026 Formula 1 season, continuing the team’s tradition of carrying forward a Championship-winning design.

The unveiling was streamed live from Bahrain, home to McLaren’s long-standing shareholders, with CEO Zak Brown, Team Principal Andrea Stella, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Chief Marketing Officer Lou McEwen, and Chief Designer Rob Marshall presenting the iconic papaya-clad car.

Following McLaren’s triumph in the 2025 Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships, the 2026 livery retains the team’s signature papaya colour palette, complemented by anthracite tones and subtle teal accents. Historically, McLaren has preserved its Championship liveries into subsequent seasons, and the MCL40 continues that legacy.

The refreshed design language extends to the drivers’ race suits, with Norris and Piastri sporting fire suits featuring an all-papaya front and anthracite rear, prominently highlighting their race numbers 1 and 81 in McLaren team colours.

New Regulations, New Era

The MCL40 has been developed under Formula 1’s new 2026 technical regulations, which required teams to design entirely new cars from the ground up. The car made its on-track debut during the Barcelona Pre-Season Shakedown, marking the first public outing of McLaren’s 2026 challenger.

The new livery will make its official track appearance on Tuesday, 10 February, during the team’s promotional filming day, ahead of the Bahrain Pre-Season Test, which begins on Wednesday, 11 February.

Leadership and Driver Reactions

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, said the team was proud to reveal the MCL40 livery from Bahrain, describing the papaya design as a symbol of continuity, performance, and Championship success. He highlighted the balance between creative expression and aerodynamic efficiency, while also thanking McLaren’s shareholders, partners, fans, and team members for their ongoing support.

Team Principal Andrea Stella noted that the livery reveal marks an important milestone as McLaren prepares for a highly competitive season under new regulations. He подчеркed that despite recent success, the 2026 season represents a fresh start, with all teams effectively beginning from zero in a grid featuring five major manufacturers.

Lando Norris described the livery as special, reflecting on his Championship-winning journey with McLaren and expressing excitement about entering the new era of Formula 1 as a reigning World Champion. He thanked the team, partners, and fans for their contribution to the MCL40 project.

Oscar Piastri echoed the sentiment, praising the continuation of the Championship-winning design and expressing confidence ahead of the 2026 season. He highlighted the team’s strong momentum and optimism as McLaren prepares to take on the challenges of the new regulations.

With the papaya-coloured MCL40 ready to hit the track, McLaren heads into the 2026 Formula 1 season aiming to build on its recent success and deliver another memorable year of racing for fans worldwide.