AkzoNobel & McLaren Racing Extend Partnership to Drive Performance and Innovation

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AkzoNobel and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have extended their long-running partnership, taking their collaboration to new heights by expanding into endurance racing.

In addition to continuing as the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team’s exclusive Official Partner: Coatings Solutions, AkzoNobel has also become one of the first partners to join the McLaren United Autosports WEC Hypercar Team ahead of next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Since first teaming up in 2008, the two organisations have shared an unwavering commitment to performance, innovation, and technological excellence. Their collaboration last year culminated in the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team winning both the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.

“We’re incredibly excited to continue and extend our collaboration with such a long-standing and valued partner,” says Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business.
“Our search for better never stops, so we’ll carry on working together to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in the areas of sustainability, technological innovation and product development.”

Matt Dennington, Co-Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Racing, adds:
“AkzoNobel has been a trusted partner for McLaren for nearly two decades and we’re excited to take that collaboration to the next level. Partners who share our passion for performance and innovation are key to achieving success and we look forward to working together as we enter the World Endurance Championship.”

A New Chapter: Endurance Racing

The FIA WEC is a global sports car racing series focused on long-distance events that test reliability, strategy and team performance. The Hypercar category, introduced in 2021, represents the championship’s top class.

McLaren Racing’s entry into endurance racing represents both a technical and strategic challenge, where every component, including advanced coatings from AkzoNobel, plays a critical role in performance and durability.

McLaren has a long-standing history in endurance racing, with the team winning the Le Mans 24-hour race on its debut in 1995. Now, nearly three decades later, the partnership with AkzoNobel will support its return to the top tier of global endurance competition.

Looking Ahead: Innovation on Track

The McLaren Mastercard F1 car for the upcoming season is scheduled to launch on 9 February, with testing starting in Bahrain on 12 February. The season opener takes place in Australia on 8 March.

Through this extended partnership, AkzoNobel will continue to push the boundaries of coatings technology, supporting McLaren in delivering sustainability, performance and innovation both on the F1 track and in the WEC Hypercar series.

“Together, we’re demonstrating that high performance and sustainability can go hand in hand,” says Bourguignon. “It’s about constantly raising the bar and exploring new possibilities.”