McLaren Signs Former Ferrari Sponsor Etihad Airways for 2026 F1 Season

McLaren has secured a new multi-year partnership with Etihad Airways, marking the airline's first team sponsorship since its previous deal with Ferrari ended in 2010. The agreement comes as the Woking-based team enters the 2026 season as the reigning Formula 1 Constructors' and Drivers' World Champions, with Lando Norris clinching his maiden title at the Etihad-sponsored Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December.

Why it matters:

This partnership signifies a major commercial coup for McLaren, aligning the reigning champions with a premium global brand as they defend their titles. For Etihad, it represents a strategic return to direct team involvement in F1's current era of explosive global growth, leveraging the sport's popularity to enhance its own brand visibility on a worldwide stage.

The details:

• The multi-year deal designates Etihad Airways as an Official Partner of McLaren Racing.
• Etihad branding will feature prominently on the rear wing and halo of the new MCL40 car, as well as on the helmets of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
• The partnership extends beyond F1 to include the McLaren United AS Hypercar program, set to debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2027.
• A unique element of the deal will see one of Etihad's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft painted in McLaren's iconic papaya orange livery, complete with team logos.
• This marks McLaren's first season with a title sponsor in over a decade, following the upgrade of its existing partnership with Mastercard.

What's next:

The partnership kicks off immediately with the start of the 2026 F1 season in Australia. All eyes will be on how this strengthened commercial backing supports McLaren's campaign to retain both championships. The customized Etihad 'Papaya Dreamliner' will become a flying billboard, symbolizing the fusion of high-speed sport and global aviation as it travels across the airline's network, engaging fans worldwide and solidifying this high-profile alliance.