McLaren is soaring as Etihad Airways joins as an official partner in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Emirati airline’s branding will appear on the MCL40 and the team’s upcoming Hypercars from Woking, and later in the year, fans can spot a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in McLaren’s iconic ‘papaya’ livery.
The agreement
Just over a week before the start of the 2026 season, Etihad Airways announced its official partnership with McLaren. The deal also includes a sponsorship agreement starting in 2027, marking McLaren’s debut in the WEC. The reigning world champions will run the Etihad logo on the rear wing and the halo of the MCL40, with the same branding featured on the drivers’ helmets.
Brand and livery collaboration
The partnership highlights the shared commitment of Etihad and McLaren to innovation, ambition, and delivering unique experiences to fans and customers around the world. Additionally, during the year, the UAE state airline will launch a special Boeing 787 Dreamliner adorned in McLaren’s signature ‘papaya’ livery alongside the team’s logo, celebrating the collaboration in the skies.
Expressing his excitement about the partnership, Etihad Airways Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves said: “Today we are thrilled to collaborate with McLaren Racing to kick off an extraordinary partnership. Formula 1 brings together fans from across the globe in one of the most exciting sports, and we are excited to see the Etihad brand on McLaren’s 2026 car as it competes worldwide. To celebrate the partnership, we will also unveil a stunning new aircraft livery featuring the McLaren branding, which will fly across Etihad’s rapidly expanding network, engaging fans all over the world.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown also commented on the deal: “We are excited to welcome Etihad Airways as an Official Partner. We compete at more and more races around the world, and working with a global airline that shares our passion for excellence is a natural choice. Etihad’s commitment to delivering premium experiences aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to working closely together both in Formula 1 and in the WEC.”
The new partnership between McLaren Racing and Etihad Airways marks a significant expansion of the team’s commercial and sporting reach as they enter the 2026 season as the team to beat. By bridging the gap between elite air travel and top-tier motorsport, both brands are positioning themselves for a future that spans from the F1 grid to the endurance racing world of the WEC, all while taking their “papaya” identity to new heights in the sky.
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