McLaren are moving into a new sport

McLaren will hope to apply the technical knowledge built up over decades in Formula 1 as the brand moves into the world of professional cycling. McLaren Applied Technologies has entered into a 50-50 partnership with Team Bahrain Merida and will race at the top level of cycling – the UCI World Tour.

McLaren's tech department has previously worked in cycling in partnership with Great Britain's Olympic team ahead of the 2012 Summer Games.

Team Bahrain Merida finished seventh in 2018's World Tour standings out of 18 teams and took a victory at the Milan-San Remo, one of the tour's classic races, through Vincenzo Nibali – who has previously won all thee grand tours: the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana.

McLaren's chief marketing officer John Allert said: "Racing, technology and human performance are at the heart of everything we do at McLaren.

"Cycling is something we have been involved with in the past and have been looking at entering for some time.

"It is a completely natural fit for our skills and our ambitions and a perfect partnership with Team Bahrain Merida who have the right vision and approach for the future. We will be working tirelessly in the months ahead as we know the world of professional cycling is home to some of the best athletes and competitive teams in the world of sport.

"What Team Bahrain Merida has achieved in less than two years, off a standing start, is hugely impressive. Working together with a team this driven is a very exciting prospect indeed."

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