McLaren will commemorate a remarkable Formula 1 milestone this weekend in Monaco with a specially designed livery as the team reaches its 1000th grand prix entry. The historic achievement comes at the same Monte Carlo venue where founder Bruce McLaren made his debut with the team in 1966, creating a poetic symmetry for this momentous occasion.
The celebration livery features a striking metallic papaya orange and anthracite color scheme, with the number 1000 prominently displayed on the MCL40’s sidepods. McLaren has confirmed the special design will remain on the cars for both the Monaco Grand Prix and the following Barcelona-Catalunya round, extending the commemoration across two race weekends.
According to the team, the livery incorporates subtle references to McLaren’s storied history, including “hidden gems recognizing important milestones, from our first race, victories and championship wins to the triple crown and our world record pit stop.” Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will sport matching special overalls that carry forward the design language from their cars.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the significance of the milestone, noting that his team becomes only the second constructor in F1 history to reach 1000 grand prix starts. A special display on Thursday will showcase the evolution of the marque, featuring the original 1966 McLaren M2B alongside the current MCL40, with team principals Andrea Stella and Brown joining the current drivers and former McLaren race winners for the celebration.
The livery’s underlying message centers on McLaren’s resilience and determination, with the team stating it “symbolizes the message that McLaren never quits” while highlighting both the triumphs and challenges that have shaped the organization’s six-decade journey in Formula 1.