McLaren Racing’s Return To Chrome Isn’t Quite The Livery We Were Hoping For

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After a somewhat lackluster start to the season, McLaren finally has an updated car that is looking a lot more competitive on the 2023 grid. And, fresh from a 4th place finish in last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, fans have a reason to be hopeful with Silverstone just around the corner.

If expectations weren’t high enough with the team’s home race just around the corner, McLaren has unveiled a special livery for the British Grand Prix. The new paint scheme embraces chrome in what is both a throwback to designs of old and a huge win for the marketing department, with sponsors Google proudly getting a shoutout for their browser.

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The livery is a nod to the chrome livery the team ran from 2006 to 2014 and was on the car when the Woking-based outfit last won a world title — Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 driver’s championship. Coincidentally, 2008 was also the year that Google launched the Chrome web browser.

Of course, fans may still be a little disappointed that the one-off design lacks the red that was courtesy of then-title-sponsors Vodafone. Instead the design retains the Papaya orange that has become a signature of the team in its modern era. The chrome elements are limited to the engine cover, a dash of sidepod, and the front wing. The nose, halo, most of the sides, and the rear wing all remain Papaya, while there are still large parts that remain unpainted, likely to ensure the car is as close to the minimum weight as possible.

But it’s not just the car that gets the special color treatment. Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be outfitted in matching racing suits, while Norris will don a unique helmet and boot design that ties in with the theme.

“It’s no secret that racing fans love McLaren’s classic chrome livery,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. “Google Chrome wanted to bring back elements of this iconic livery to celebrate our team’s history at the British Grand Prix, and we’re excited to be able to give our fans what they want.”