AkzoNobel and McLaren Strengthen Long-Standing Partnership Ahead of WEC Campaign

AkzoNobel and McLaren Racing are set to deepen their nearly twenty-year partnership, signalling a renewed commitment to innovation as McLaren prepares for its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Speciality Coatings division, said the continuation of the partnership reflects a shared drive for progress. He emphasised that the companies will keep pushing technological boundaries, particularly in sustainability, advanced materials and new product development, noting that the pursuit of improvement “never stops”.

McLaren Racing’s Co-Chief Commercial Officer, Matt Dennington, highlighted the strength and longevity of the collaboration, describing AkzoNobel as a trusted ally whose dedication to performance mirrors McLaren’s own ambitions. He added that as the team transitions into the WEC arena, partnerships built on innovation and excellence will be vital to future success.

The WEC is renowned for its demanding endurance races, testing the resilience of both teams and machinery across long-distance events. Its premier Hypercar category, introduced in 2021, represents the pinnacle of technological and engineering achievement in sports car racing. McLaren holds a notable place in endurance racing history, having famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut appearance in 1995.

Alongside preparations for the WEC season, McLaren is also gearing up for major milestones in its Formula 1 campaign. The 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 car is scheduled for unveiling on 9 February, with pre-season testing set to begin in Bahrain on 12 February. The opening Grand Prix of the year will then take place in Australia on 8 March.