McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team to debut in 2026

McLaren Racing and Mastercard have agreed to elevate their partnership so that, from the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the team will be officially known as the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team. The naming-rights deal, announced at an event in Amsterdam on 27 August ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, converts an existing multiyear sponsorship into a title partnership and introduces a global fan-focused initiative called Team Priceless.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said the move is designed to deepen fan engagement. "There is no one more important to us than our awesome fans, so I could not be more delighted to enter this next chapter in our partnership with Mastercard with a promise to our Papaya Family around the world that we will continue to put our fans first, bring them even closer to the team, and offer incredible experiences," he said. Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard chief marketing and communications officer, framed the naming partnership as a continuation of a fan-first strategy. "Our partnership has been grounded in putting fans in pole position since day one, and becoming the Official Naming Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team takes that commitment to the next...