After showing a glimpse of the car in Barcelona, McLaren will officially introduce its livery for the 2026 season: here’s how to follow the team’s launch event.
McLaren remains one of the teams to beat and one of the most anticipated in 2026. Today, February 9, the MCL40 will be officially revealed. Coming off a double victory in both the drivers’ (with Lando Norris) and constructors’ championships, Andrea Stella and his team aim to reaffirm their dominance this season.
This is a new year with technical regulations designed to shake up the balance of power on track. McLaren is one of the last teams yet to officially present its car; afterward, the papaya team will be ready to hit the track in Bahrain for the first pre-season testing session, scheduled from February 11 to 13.
During the closed-door tests at the Montmeló circuit in late January, McLaren showed the Mercedes engine’s reliability, posting competitive lap times. The team faced a minor setback on the fourth day, but it did not affect the overall performance of the car. In total, the papaya team completed 300 laps, shared between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
McLaren: when to watch the launch
McLaren will reveal the MCL40 on Monday, February 9, with a live event at 16:00 CET from the Bahrain International Circuit. CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will present all the features of the car that will compete for the 2026 World Championship.
McLaren: where to watch the 2026 car launch
The launch of the McLaren MCL40 can be followed via live streaming on the team’s official YouTube channel. Just connect at the time mentioned above; no registration is required, and the event is completely free.
The launch of the McLaren MCL40 represents a critical milestone as the team transitions from the glory of their 2025 double-championship win into the high-stakes uncertainty of the 2026 regulations. By choosing the Bahrain International Circuit as the backdrop for this reveal, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella are signaling that the team is already in “race mode,” focused on the data-driven reality of the desert tests ahead. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge, the pressure is on to ensure the Mercedes-powered MCL40 translates its Barcelona reliability into true championship-winning pace. Today’s presentation is more than just a livery reveal; it is a statement of intent for the new era. As the papaya colors break cover in Sakhir, the F1 world will finally see if the champions have found the secret to staying at the front of the grid.
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