McLaren has unveiled a special one-off livery for its home race at the 2026 British Grand Prix inspired by the team’s very first Formula 1 car.
The design, created in partnership with Google Gemini, draws inspiration from McLaren’s first F1 car, the M2B and replaces the team’s familiar papaya look with a predominantly white and green scheme.
The McLaren M2B debuted at the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix, but it was at the British Grand Prix held at Brands Hatch that founder Bruce McLaren scored the team’s first ever point in Formula 1.
Bruce went on to score a further two points at the United States GP at Watkins Glen that same season.
The Woking-based outfit recently celebrated its 1000th grand prix in Monaco with a special livery and the M2B was taken out for some laps around the historic street circuit by two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.
For Silverstone this weekend, the MCL40 will sport a mostly white scheme with a green central stripe accompanied by the tagline: ‘Spark What’s Next’.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will don white race suits featuring a ‘Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Team’ sticker in honour of the team’s founder.
“McLaren launches special F1 British GP livery as a celebration of where we began and everything we have built since,“ McLaren’s chief marketing officer, Louise McWen said. “The McLaren M2B represents the start of a journey defined by relentless innovation and a belief in possibility, and this design brings that spirit to life.
“Our partnership with Google Gemini is grounded in those same principles. Together, we are exploring how technology can unlock new ways to innovate, iterate and push performance forward, both on and off the track. This livery is a powerful expression of that shared mindset, honouring our heritage while looking firmly to the future.”
McLaren heads to its home grand prix at Silverstone third in the constructors’ championship behind Ferrari and Mercedes.
The reigning champions are yet to win a grand prix after a turbulent 2026 campaign so far with Piastri and Norris placing fourth and sixth in the drivers’ rankings.
