McLaren unveils 2026 Formula 1 challenger in Bahrain
McLaren has officially unveiled its 2026 Formula 1 challenger at a dedicated event in Bahrain this afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The Woking-based team presented the MCL40’s race livery during a live-streamed reveal at the Bahrain International Circuit. This season’s design retains the familiar papaya orange colour scheme for a ninth consecutive year.
This choice comes after the team ran a temporary black design during last month’s shakedown in Barcelona. “We don’t want to change what’s been successful,” said chief executive Zak Brown.
With pre-season testing scheduled to begin at the same circuit on Wednesday, two three-day sessions will precede the Melbourne season opener in March. Defending drivers’ champion Lando Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri were in attendance for the launch alongside team principal Andrea Stella and Brown.
Piastri expressed enthusiasm for the updated design, noting the additional orange at the front. “I think it looks great, obviously with a bit more papaya this year, especially at the front, which is nice,” he said, adding that the livery aligns with past successes. Norris, while fond of the all-black test car, believes the papaya design translates better on television.
Stella expressed confidence in the MCL40’s competitiveness, but acknowledged that the new regulations mean every team starts afresh this season. “Irrespective of the pecking order at the first race, I think the first season will be a game of development, and who will have developed the most may be the successful one at the end of this season,” he remarked.
Brown also emphasised the importance of balancing resources between competing for last year’s titles and developing the current car. “We think we have achieved the right balance, so we are optimistic that the MCL40 will be a strong contender,” he stated.
Brown further highlighted Norris’s determination as he defends his title, describing the British driver as “highly motivated” and confident. “There are some drivers who say: ‘I’ve won it and I’m done.’ And then you have drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher, who say: ‘I have done it once and I want to win it twice, three, four times,'” Brown explained.
The overarching goal, as articulated by the team, is to ensure both Norris and Piastri have the machinery needed to compete at the front. “If we can do that, then both Oscar and Lando will be in with a shout,” he concluded.
This unveiling sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in McLaren’s pursuit of F1 success, showcasing their history of resilience and ambition as they strive to reclaim their place at the forefront of motorsport.
