McLaren signs Etihad Airways as major F1 and hypercar partner

McLaren Racing has secured a major new partnership with Etihad Airways, bringing the airline on board as an official partner for its Formula 1 team and World Endurance Championship (WEC) hypercar program starting in 2026. The multi-faceted deal includes prominent branding on the race cars, a special McLaren-liveried aircraft, and logistical support, positioning Etihad against F1's own global partner, Qatar Airways.

Why it matters:

This partnership represents a significant commercial and strategic move for both parties. For McLaren, it adds a premium global brand to its portfolio and provides valuable logistical support for its expanding racing commitments across F1 and WEC. For Etihad, aligning with a top-tier team like McLaren offers a powerful marketing platform to rival its national competitor, Qatar Airways, which holds a sponsorship deal directly with Formula 1 itself.

The details:

• The partnership is set to commence from the 2026 season and covers both McLaren's Formula 1 operation and its upcoming WEC hypercar effort.
• Etihad branding will gain high-visibility placement on the McLaren F1 car, including the rear wing and halo, as well as on the drivers' helmets and the WEC hypercar.
• A key experiential element will be a specially designed McLaren-branded livery on one of Etihad's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, scheduled to be unveiled later this year.
• Beyond marketing, Etihad will provide logistical backing for the team's global travel, leveraging its route network to connect key racing hubs.
• The deal also includes extensive digital and fan engagement collaboration rights.

What's next:

The formal start of the partnership in 2026 will see Etihad's branding integrated into McLaren's new car designs and team identity. The immediate next step is the reveal of the co-branded aircraft livery, which will serve as a flying billboard for the new alliance. This deal intensifies the commercial rivalry within the sport's airline sector and strengthens McLaren's financial foundation as it continues to compete at the front of the grid in multiple championships.