McLaren F1 brings back a classic design for the Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren Looks Back to 1968 for Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren is taking a nostalgic turn as it prepares for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.

The team has introduced a unique color scheme for this year’s race, inspired by the M7A, the vehicle that brought Bruce McLaren the team’s inaugural Grand Prix win at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix.

This fresh design was showcased in a video shared on social media on Wednesday morning.

In the video, the team playfully asks, “Is it hot here or is it our new coloring?” They highlight how this bespoke look honors the legacy of the M7A while looking forward to the future.

Following this reveal, the team is set to debut the new coloring at the Spanish Grand Prix next week.

This weekend, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will don vintage lace suits, a nod to the past that the team also announced on social media.

It’s now the third season McLaren has acknowledged its racing heritage. Last year at the Monaco Grand Prix, they used a “Triple Crown” color scheme, celebrating their unique achievement as the only racing team to win all three prestigious events—Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The previous year, McLaren paid tribute to the legendary Ayrton Senna with a special design.

In a conversation with McLaren CEO Zac Brown prior to this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, he expressed gratitude for the team’s successes, especially reflecting on their three championships with Senna. “He is such an icon and legend. My passion for Senna is about returning the favor to his family, our team, our fans, and the sport,” Brown stated last May.

He added, “The response has been fantastic, which is really gratifying.” Brown commended the McLaren Marketing team for effectively bringing these special tributes to life.

As McLaren enters the Monaco Grand Prix, they are currently leading the Constructors Championship, holding a 132-point advantage over Mercedes. In the drivers’ championship, both Piastri and Norris are doing well, with Piastri trailing just 13 points behind his teammate.