McLaren Racing has announced that Mastercard will become the Official Naming Partner of its Formula 1 team beginning in 2026.
The team will be rebranded as the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, marking the start of a new era for both organizations and their global fan communities.
The expanded partnership introduces new opportunities for fan engagement, including access to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. Mastercard will also launch a global fan initiative called “Team Priceless,” designed to bring McLaren supporters closer to the team and to Formula 1 events around the world.
Fan-first initiatives
Team Priceless will be rolled out as part of the naming partnership and will provide selected fans with unique experiences on race weekends. Activities will include hot laps on track, opportunities to meet McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Priceless Experiences showcasing the culture of host cities on the Formula 1 calendar. Details of the program and the fan recruitment process are expected to be announced in the coming months.
To launch this new chapter, Mastercard is hosting a live fan event in Amsterdam on August 27 ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. The event will feature appearances by Norris and Piastri as well as live musical performances, highlighting the entertainment-driven approach of the collaboration.
Leadership perspectives
McLaren executives stressed that the partnership reinforces the organization’s fan-first focus. “There is no one more important to us than our awesome fans, so I could not be more delighted to enter this next chapter in our partnership with Mastercard with a promise to our Papaya Family around the world: that we will continue to put our fans first, bring them even closer to the team, and offer incredible experiences,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.
“Mastercard is a fantastic partner who shares our passions and values, so to have them on board as naming partner will offer us the perfect launch pad to keep pushing on and off track – and I cannot wait to see Team Priceless come to life in 2026.”
Mastercard highlighted the alignment between its brand values and Formula 1. “Our partnership has been grounded in putting fans in pole position since day one, and becoming the Official Naming Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team takes that commitment to the next level,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Mastercard. “McLaren Racing represents the pinnacle of innovation, precision, and performance, values that mirror our own as we push boundaries and deliver winning experiences. Collaborations like Team Priceless reflect those values and give fans plenty to look forward to for this season and many more.”
Strategic impact
The partnership is set to provide McLaren Racing with additional commercial stability and brand visibility, while Mastercard strengthens its presence in Formula 1, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in terms of global audience and engagement. With Formula 1 continuing to expand its calendar into new markets across the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, the collaboration aims to reach millions of fans worldwide.
The announcement underscores the increasing importance of naming rights and commercial alliances in Formula 1. By aligning with Mastercard, McLaren joins other teams in leveraging strategic partnerships to deliver both financial backing and enhanced fan interaction. The rebranding of the team in 2026 will formally mark the next stage of a collaboration that has already spanned several seasons.
As Formula 1 prepares for further growth in the coming years, McLaren Racing’s deal with Mastercard signals how global brands are using motorsport as a platform for innovation, entertainment, and deeper connections with fans. For McLaren, the launch of Team Priceless represents an opportunity to strengthen loyalty among its supporters while advancing its competitive ambitions on the track.
