McLaren drops stylish ‘Riviera-inspired’ livery for Monaco

McLaren will be aiming to turning heads this weekend in Monaco — and not just with its pace.

The Woking-based outfit is customary to running a special livery at the Monaco Grand Prix, and this year is no exception, although this weekend’s scheme – which will also be run in Barcelona next week - is perhaps less of a departure than usual.

In collaboration with their Official Primary Partner and crypto app OKX, McLaren’s “Riviera-inspired” livery is a tribute to the past, a nod to the present, and a bold flash of the future.

The fresh design, shimmering in papaya with clean, elegant lines, pays homage to the legendary M7A — the very car that gave McLaren its first Formula 1 victory in 1968, with Bruce McLaren himself behind the wheel.

But the modern reinterpretation balances historical reverence with forward-thinking flair.

“Whereas the M7A marked a transformation from the previous identity of the team, OKX provides prides itself on offering A New Alternative to traditional finance and cryptocurrency,” McLaren said.

In essence, the new look is more than a visual tweak — it’s a brand statement.

A Nod to Heritage, A Push to the Future

The M7A didn’t just win races; it launched the team’s now-iconic papaya livery during an era when most fans still watched the races in black and white. Fast forward to today, and McLaren’s livery evolution comes with a fresh partner and a compelling message — embracing innovation while honoring the legacy.

That spirit is echoed in the drivers’ overalls, too. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be suiting up in matching predominantly white race suits, dubbed “A New Alternative,” during the next two rounds.

It’s a crisp look that aligns with OKX’s bold step into the European market and the elegant aesthetic of the Riviera — where cutting-edge technology meets timeless style.

McLaren are keen to making a statement on track, too, after their defeat at the hands of Max Verstappen at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Norris finished second and Piastri took third — a commendable showing, but one that still saw both trailing a seemingly untouchable Red Bull driver.

• Read also: Have the FIA’s shadowy Imola TDs curbed McLaren’s momentum?

Team Principal Andrea Stella is laser-focused heading into the most glamorous race on the F1 calendar.

“After a strong start to the triple-header in Imola, we now head to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most iconic street circuits on the calendar,” Stella said in the team’s preview.

“We expect the competition to be closer than ever with potentially a few surprises as the particularities of the Monaco circuit can reward. We remain focused on ourselves and turn our attention to the next part of the triple-header.”

The MCL39 is dressed to impress, and Norris and Piastri are ready to let it rip – in style – on the streets of the Principality.

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