The milestone that prompted McLaren to race with a special livery in Monaco

McLaren returns to Monaco this weekend not only to contest the opening race of the European leg of the 2026 F1 season, but to celebrate a milestone that only one other team in the sport’s history has ever reached: its 1000th Grand Prix.

To mark the occasion, the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team has unveiled a special edition of the MCL40 — a livery that blends metallic papaya with deep anthracite, and one that carries the weight of six decades of triumphs, challenges, reinvention, and relentless perseverance.

The design is more than a commemorative colour scheme. It is a visual narrative of McLaren’s journey from its first Formula 1 outing in 1966 to the present day, embedding subtle references to landmark victories, championship successes, the Triple Crown, and even the team’s world‑record pit stop.

Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will race in matching special overalls, extending the livery’s design language into their racewear.

The team frames the 1000th‑race celebration around a simple but defining message: McLaren Never Quits. The livery is intended to symbolise the grit, resilience, and determination that have shaped the team’s identity across eras of dominance and periods of rebuilding.

As McLaren puts it, the design “highlights the stories and the work it took to get to the anniversary, championing moments where the team was not only successful, but also the challenges it faced and how it came out stronger.”

The special edition will run not only in Monaco but also at the Spanish Grand Prix, extending the anniversary celebration across two consecutive race weekends.

Monaco is more than a glamorous backdrop for this milestone — it is the site of McLaren’s very first Formula 1 race. In 1966, Bruce McLaren drove the team’s debut F1 car, the M2B, around the streets of the principality. Since that moment, McLaren has accumulated: 203 Grand Prix victories, 561 podiums, 177 pole positions, 13 Drivers’ Championships, 10 Constructors’ Championships.

Today, the team will stage a symbolic moment on the grid: the original M2B, owned by Richard Mille, will line up alongside the MCL40 — the team’s 1000th‑race entry. CEO Zak Brown, Team Principal Andrea Stella, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be joined by McLaren Grand Prix winners from across the decades, as well as Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown emphasised the significance of reaching this milestone at the very circuit where the team’s story began: “Lining up on the grid to race McLaren’s 1000th Grand Prix in Monaco this year provides a perfect opportunity to recognise our rich history in motorsport.

"We’re only the second team to reach this incredible milestone, so what better moment to reflect on our past, our present and our future.

“Throughout our past, this team has always shown grit and determination, whether that be in periods of success or the trickier times. McLaren Never Quits, and this livery and the moment on Thursday is a special way to celebrate how far we’ve come.

"We look forward to running it out on track and recognising what we have achieved from our first race, here in Monaco back in 1966, through to now. Here’s to 1000 more.”

McLaren Racing’s Chief Marketing Officer Lou McEwen highlighted the emotional and fan‑focused dimension of the project: “It’s incredibly special to be celebrating McLaren Racing’s 1000th race at Monaco. There were never any guarantees to get here — and this new livery recognises the challenges, the resilience, and spirit that defines us as a team: McLaren Never Quits.

“Bringing fans into our story of the past 60 years, has been a big part of the build-up to this moment, with our biggest ever fan activation, McLaren Racing Live: Miami, and special collections from our partners, all helping us reflect on and celebrate this journey.

"The 1000th livery too, has lots of nods to our history for Papaya fans to look out for, from world record-breaking pit stops, to nods to our founder Bruce McLaren. We’re extremely proud to share this moment and already looking forward to our next chapter.”