AkzoNobel has extended its long-running partnership with McLaren Racing, expanding the collaboration beyond Formula 1 to include endurance racing through the McLaren United Autosports WEC Hypercar Team.

The company will continue as the exclusive Official Partner: Coatings Solutions for the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and has also joined the McLaren United Autosports program ahead of its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship. The expanded partnership marks AkzoNobel’s involvement in the Hypercar category, the top class of endurance racing.

AkzoNobel and McLaren Racing first partnered in 2008, with the collaboration focused on performance-driven coatings technologies and innovation. The partnership extension follows McLaren’s recent success in Formula 1, including championship wins in the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.

“We’re incredibly excited to continue and extend our collaboration with such a long-standing and valued partner,” said Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. “Our search for better never stops, so we’ll carry on working together to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in the areas of sustainability, technological innovation and product development.”

Matt Dennington, Co-Chief Commercial Officer at McLaren Racing, said AkzoNobel has been a trusted partner for nearly two decades and that the expanded collaboration aligns with McLaren’s entry into endurance racing.

The FIA World Endurance Championship features long-distance racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren is scheduled to launch its 2026 Formula 1 car in February, with the season opening in Australia in March.

This announcement reflects continued collaboration between coatings suppliers and automotive manufacturers as performance, durability and sustainability remain key drivers in Industrial Coatings.