World champions McLaren have revealed the car livery they will race in when they defend F1’s world titles in the 2026 season.
Launching the colour scheme on the MCL40 in Bahrain on the eve of pre-season testing, which starts on Wednesday, McLaren have deliberately stuck with a tried and tested livery formula for an otherwise all-changed challenger for F1’s revolutionary new regulation era.
The 2026 car ran in a one-off dark livery during its debut at the Barcelona shakedown last month but the race livery closely resembles the look of the past two seasons, with their now-trademark papaya colour into its ninth campaign back as the team’s predominant colour.
“We don’t want to change what’s been successful,” said chief executive Zak Brown.
Britain’s Lando Norris defends the Drivers’ Championship he won in the final round of last season, with team-mate Oscar Piastri aiming to strike back after a disappointing end to an otherwise career-best third campaign in F1 for the Australian.
McLaren, who will be again powered by Mercedes, who are widely expected to have produced the class-leading 2026 engine, are back-to-back constructors’ champions but team bosses have stressed all winter that the whole grid starts afresh given the comprehensive nature of the sport’s new chassis and power unit regulations
“I wouldn’t bet against our people but this sport is unbelievably competitive and it’s going to be a fearsome season this year,” added Brown.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain Testing schedule
Test One: Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th, Friday 13th February
- 3pm: Final hour of track running Live
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
Test Two: Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th February
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
- 11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
