McLaren tease radical livery change for 2020 F1 car

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the team's Formula 1 livery will be noticeably different in 2020 as a result of an enhanced sponsorship deal with British American Tobacco (BAT).

BAT will become McLaren's 'principal partner' next year, having signed a deal with McLaren earlier in 2019. The deal prompted some scrutiny over the ban on tobacco products, although BAT has mostly used its 'A Better Tomorrow' platform on the MCL34's livery.

BAT say the platform is "focused on accelerating its transforming tobacco agenda".

The new sponsorship deal will encompass both McLaren's F1 and IndyCar entries in 2020, but the visual impact is likely to be felt most keenly on the MCL35.

A statement confirming the new deal confirmed "significantly increased branding positions on the Formula 1 car – including highly visible new sidepod branding, inside halo and front wing branding positions".

Expanding on that theme, Brown said: "Our car design, which we will won't reveal until we unveil our race car in February, it looks quite special.

"I think you'll like what the race car looks like with the various categories that BAT use on the race car. So I don't want to spoil that debut. But I will say it will look quite impactful and be very noticeable on the racetrack.

"BAT is our big biggest partner but we will always stay core to our papaya. It is a kind of celebration of the history of McLaren and our colour palette."

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