McLaren to limit special F1 liveries to avoid losing “its specialness”

The Woking-based outfit ran a striking Gulf-inspired livery for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix.

It also ran a revised livery for the season finale in Abu Dhabi, as part of a push by sponsor BAT's brand Vuse.

Red Bull switched to white for the Turkish GP in tribute of outgoing engine supplier Honda, while Alfa Romeo added some green to its red and white livery for the Italian GP. 

Brown revealed that while fan reception was positive, any future livery changes won’t be as frequent. 

“Fan reaction has been great. I think on a very limited basis as we have done is the right balance I think,” Brown said ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“We want to keep our identity but make a special livery special, because if you do it all the time, it loses its specialness.

“This was sponsor-driven, just like Gulf was. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be sponsor-driven. I think it gives some vibrancy, brings great messaging. In this instance, it was a female artist from this area so a great way to draw attention to various topics.

“Then, of course, our fans like to support us so you see a lot of Gulf hats and shirts running around so it’s great for fan engagement. Everyone has voted with thumbs up so to speak with their enthusiasm for it.

“It’s something that we want to do and we will continue to do but not on a high-frequency basis because then I think you lose your own identity and it loses its specialness.”