McLaren Racing is competing in the Dutch Grand Prix with a special one-off livery. The design serves as a tribute to the team’s founder, Bruce McLaren. The cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri feature the special colours this weekend at Circuit Zandvoort.
The livery is a significant nod to the team’s origins. It prominently features the historic ‘Papaya Orange’ shade, which was the signature colour of Bruce McLaren’s early racing cars in the 1960s. The design is a modern interpretation of the classic branding.
Several historical details have been incorporated onto the 2026 car. This includes the original ‘Speedy Kiwi’ logo, a symbol representing Bruce McLaren’s New Zealand heritage. His signature is also featured on the side of the chassis.
The tribute extends beyond the car’s livery. Team personnel are wearing retro-inspired team kits throughout the race weekend. The garage and pit wall have also been decorated with branding that reflects the team’s early years in Formula 1.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown stated the tribute is to honour the founder’s vision. He explained that bringing the legacy to the forefront at a venue like Zandvoort is important for the team’s identity and history in the sport.
‘This weekend is about honoring the vision and determination of Bruce McLaren. The special livery is our way of bringing his legacy to the forefront at such a fantastic event.’
Both drivers have embraced the tribute weekend. Lando Norris is wearing a special helmet that is a nod to the design Bruce McLaren used. He called it a privilege to drive a car carrying so much of the team’s history.
Teammate Oscar Piastri commented on the sense of pride within the Woking-based outfit. He noted that understanding the history of what Bruce McLaren started is a fundamental part of being a member of the team.
The special design was developed in collaboration with the McLaren Heritage department. For practical reasons, the livery was applied as a full car wrap rather than a repaint. This method was chosen primarily to avoid adding unnecessary weight to the car.
