McLaren Racing announces multi-year partnership with Etihad Airways

McLaren Racing has secured a new multi-year partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. The collaboration will span both the team's Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship (WEC) programs, featuring prominent branding on the cars and a special livery for the Etihad fleet in 2026.

Why it matters:

This partnership represents a significant commercial and branding win for McLaren, linking the team with a major global airline as it enters the 2026 season fresh off a championship double. For Etihad, aligning with a top-tier motorsport brand offers extensive global visibility and fan engagement opportunities, tapping into F1's rapidly growing international audience.

The details:

• The partnership is a multi-year agreement covering both McLaren's Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship operations.
• Etihad branding will appear in prominent positions on the F1 cars, including the rear wing and halo, as well as on the drivers' helmets and WEC race cars.
• The deal includes plans for new fan experiences and a specially designed aircraft livery for the Etihad fleet, set to be unveiled later in 2026.
• McLaren CEO Zak Brown highlighted the "natural fit" of partnering with a global airline that shares the team's values of excellence and high-quality experiences.
• Etihad's Group CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, emphasized the excitement of engaging with a global fanbase through one of the world's most exhilarating sports.

What's next:

The partnership kicks off as the 2026 F1 season begins in just over a week with the Australian Grand Prix. All eyes will be on the newly branded McLaren cars as the reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions (with Lando Norris securing his first title in 2025) take to the track. The later reveal of the co-branded Etihad aircraft livery will further extend the visibility of this alliance across the airline's global network throughout the year.