Etihad Airways Becomes Major McLaren Racing Partner Ahead of 2026 Campaign

McLaren Racing has secured a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' flagship carrier. The partnership will see the airline's branding integrated across both the team's Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship programs, with prominent placement on the race cars themselves.

Bahrain International CircuitFormula 1

In a significant commercial milestone, McLaren Racing has unveiled an expansive multi-year partnership with Etihad Airways, positioning the UAE's national airline as a key backer of the Woking-based team.

The collaboration will extend across McLaren Racing's dual motorsport operations, encompassing both its Formula 1 endeavors and its World Endurance Championship participation. This comprehensive arrangement underscores the deepening relationship between the two organizations as they prepare for the 2026 F1 season.

The visibility of this partnership will be substantial, with Etihad Airways branding set to appear prominently across McLaren's Formula 1 machines. The airline's logo will feature in high-profile positions including the rear wing and halo, ensuring prominent exposure during races and broadcast coverage. This prominent placement reflects the strategic importance of the sponsorship deal to both parties as McLaren continues to expand its commercial portfolio heading into the new season.

Original source

Motorsport.com

Read Original

Related Regulations

View full text below

technical Regulations

Art. C3.9.1

Art. C12.4.2

Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.

Full Regulation Text

Technical Regulations

Article C3.9.1

FIA Source

Tail

Chapter: C3

In Simple Terms

The rear wing and tail section must fit within a defined three-dimensional space called RV-TAIL. When looking at the car from underneath, the tail must be completely hidden behind the floor up to a certain point. Below a specific height, the tail can have up to three separate sections.

Entire tail bodywork must stay within the RV-TAIL boundary box
Tail must be fully obscured by the floor when viewed from below, forward of XR = 295mm
Below Z = 450mm height, teams can have maximum three sections in any horizontal plane
Violations relate to aerodynamic device sizing and positioning regulations

Official FIA Text

Tail Bodywork must lie in its entirety within RV-TAIL, when viewed from below be fully obscured by Floor Body forward of XR = 295, and below Z = 450 have up to three sections in any Z-Plane.

tail bodyworkrear wingrv-tailfloor obscuredaerodynamic device

2026 Season Regulations

Technical Regulations

Article C12.4.2

FIA Source

Secondary Roll Structure (Halo)

Chapter: C12

In Simple Terms

The Halo (the protective structure around the driver's head) must be mounted symmetrically on the car with its front attachment point at a specific location and its rear mounting surfaces at a slightly higher position. This ensures the safety device is properly positioned to protect the driver in case of an accident.

The Halo must be positioned symmetrically about the car's centerline
Front mounting axis must be at XC=-975 and Z=660 coordinates
Rear mounting surfaces must align on the Z=695 plane
The Halo is separate from the main Survival Cell but works together for driver protection

Official FIA Text

The Secondary Roll Structure, which is not considered part of the Survival Cell, must be positioned symmetrically about the car centre plane with its front fixing axis at XC= −975 and Z=660. The mounting faces for the rearward fixings must lie on the plane Z=695.

halosecondary roll structuredriver safetymounting positionsurvival cell

2026 Season Regulations