McLaren reveals unique shakedown livery for Barcelona

McLaren is leaving nothing to chance ahead of the most far-reaching Formula 1 season in decades. For the Barcelona Shakedown, the team has revealed a one-off test livery for the brand-new MCL40.

This is the car with which McLaren will defend its world titles in 2026. No papaya explosion, but a restrained, technical black-and-silver combination that fits the moment perfectly: testing, learning, optimising. Between 26 and 30 January, McLaren will roll the MCL40 out onto the tarmac of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where all teams get to put their new generation of F1 cars through their paces for the first time during a five-day shakedown.

A deliberate choice: start late, test smarter

Notably, McLaren will not run on day one of the shakedown. A bold move, but according to the team a strategic choice. By only taking to the track on day two or three, McLaren maximises development time in Woking and reduces the chance of teething problems during these crucial first laps.

That is no coincidence, because 2026 means a complete reset for Formula 1. New aerodynamic rules, a completely new chassis concept, revised tyres and a radically redesigned power unit. Everything changes. At the same time.

MCL40: a radical redesign

The MCL40 that appears in Barcelona is not an evolution but a clean-sheet design. The first renders show immediately that McLaren is not playing it safe. The nose looks notably lower and “drooped”, the sidepods taper aggressively towards the rear, and at the front McLaren returns to push-rod front suspension, a clear statement that performance takes priority over continuity.

The shakedown livery itself (black, silver and subtle accents) underlines that functional character. This is not a marketing moment, this is an engineer's car. McLaren is saving the definitive race colours for later, during the official test days in Bahrain.

New sponsor, familiar drivers

Although the design is understated, one name stands out in particular: Mastercard, which takes on a more prominent role as title sponsor in 2026. Still, the focus remains primarily on the people in the cockpit. McLaren once again goes into battle with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the duo who led the team to both world titles last season.

For Norris, these will be his first laps as reigning world champion. For Piastri, it is the moment to show that McLaren does not depend on a single star, but is built around a rock-solid team concept.

Andrea Stella: “We are starting again from zero”

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has already tempered expectations, despite the success of 2025. According to Stella, 2026 may well be the most complex F1 project ever. Not only because of the technical changes, but because of the unprecedented scale of redevelopment. Chassis, engine and tyres are changing simultaneously, something even seasoned teams have rarely experienced.

His message is clear: past titles offer no advantage. In 2026, everyone starts again. And whoever wants to win will have to earn it again, lap after lap, update after update.

Barcelona as the first reality check

Although the shakedown takes place behind closed doors, Barcelona is traditionally a crucial benchmark. Not for outright speed, but for the correlation between simulation and reality. How accurate is the data? How predictable is the car? How stable is the platform for further development?

McLaren’s choice to start later suggests that the team has confidence in its preparation, but also recognises how high the stakes are.