McLaren F1 turns back the clock with vintage livery for Monaco Grand Prix

Ahead of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren is turning back the clock.

Back to 1968.

The team unveiled a bespoke livery for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, a design that pays tribute to the M7A, the car that Bruce McLaren drove to secure the team’s first Grand Prix win at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix.

The team shared the new look in a video posted on social media Wednesday morning:

The team will use the livery at the Spanish Grand Prix next week as well.

Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are also wearing vintage race suits this weekend, which the team also unveiled on social media:

This is the third season in a row where McLaren has paid tribute to their racing heritage. During the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix the team used a “triple crown” livery, acknowledging their status as the only racing team that has won all three events that comprise the “Triple Crown” of racing: The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans:

Then last year, the team honored Ayrton Senna with this design:

I spoke with McLaren CEO Zak Brown ahead of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, who had this to say about both the team, the livery, and the legendary driver:

“I think we’re very lucky and fortunate that Senna’s prime history, if you like, is with McLaren. So it gives us a license to celebrate Senna in Formula One. Our history with him [included] three world championships with him. He’s such an icon, a legend. So much love for Senna that to be able to do that, to give back to the Senna family, to give back to our team, a lot of which raced with Ayrton, to give back to the fans, to give back to the sport,” said Brown last May.

“The response unsurprisingly has just been awesome, and it’s really cool.

“I’m very proud of everyone on the McLaren marketing department who kind of led the charge on these special liveries and iconic moments and it’s been really well received.”

McLaren enters the Monaco Grand Prix leading the Constructors’ Championship race, 132 points ahead of Mercedes in the standings. Piastri and Norris are also up front in the Drivers’ Championship race, with Piastri 13 points ahead of his teammate.