McLaren Racing names Etihad Airways Official Partner from 2026 season
UAE airline to feature on F1 cars and launch McLaren-branded Dreamliner
Dubai: McLaren Racing has announced that Etihad Airways will become an Official Partner from the 2026 season onward.
The agreement covers both the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the McLaren United Autosports World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar Team. The partnership will begin in 2026 and continue beyond that season.
Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, will support McLaren’s global operations as the team competes across multiple racing series worldwide. The airline operates a network of more than 100 destinations, including key Formula 1 host markets such as the UAE, Australia, China, Japan, the UK, Spain, Italy and the United States.
Under the agreement, Etihad branding will feature prominently on the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team race cars and the McLaren United Autosports WEC Hypercar. On the Formula 1 car, branding will appear on the MCL40’s rear wing and halo. The airline’s logo will also be displayed on McLaren driver helmets.
The partnership includes digital and experiential rights, enabling joint fan engagement initiatives throughout the term of the agreement.
New Etihad livery too
Later this year, Etihad will introduce a new aircraft livery featuring McLaren Racing branding. The design will be applied to one of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which operates across its international network.
The agreement expands Etihad’s involvement in global motorsport. The airline has served as title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009.
“We’re excited to welcome Etihad Airways as an Official Partner," said Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing, adding that the partnership aligns with the team’s global travel requirements and performance ambitions across Formula 1 and endurance racing.
Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the agreement would see the airline’s branding appear on the 2026 McLaren car as it competes internationally, alongside the launch of the co-branded aircraft livery.
The partnership formally takes effect with the start of the 2026 racing season.
