McLaren's 2026 livery earns fan approval in poll

McLaren's MCL40 for the 2026 Formula 1 season features a livery nearly identical to its championship-winning predecessor, and a majority of fans have voiced their approval of the familiar design. The team showed promising early pace at the Bahrain pre-season test, with Lando Norris topping the timesheets on the opening day.

Why it matters:

In an era where teams frequently overhaul their visual identity, McLaren's decision to stick with a known and successful look signals confidence and brand stability. The positive fan reception suggests that consistency can be as valuable as change, especially following a dominant constructors' championship defense in 2025. This approach allows the team to maintain strong brand recognition while focusing its resources entirely on performance development for the new regulatory cycle.

The details:

• The Woking-based squad officially unveiled the MCL40 ahead of the first pre-season test in Bahrain.
• The livery design is very similar to the one used on the title-winning 2025 car.
• In a fan poll conducted by RacingNews365, 51.9% of voters expressed support for the design, selecting "Yes - I'm a fan, great job McLaren."
• Only 26% of respondents voted against the livery, while 22.1% remained undecided.
• On track, the car's performance appeared strong, with Norris setting the fastest time on the first day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.

What's next:

The real test for the MCL40 will come at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, where its performance relative to rivals will be fully revealed. The positive initial fan sentiment provides a morale boost, but the team's focus will now fully shift to optimizing the car's setup and understanding its new package under competitive conditions. The continuity in aesthetics underscores a season where technical continuity and evolution are paramount for maintaining a championship position.