NEOM STRENGTHENS MCLAREN RACING TIES

McLaren Shadow F1 esports team, McLaren Racing’s esports outfit, has announced a new partnership with NEOM.

The deal will see the new Saudi Arabian urban area become a principal partner to the team, reinforcing its connection with McLaren Racing.

NEOM became title partner of the NEOM McLaren Formula E and Extreme E Teams in 2022, bringing two all-electric race series together under the banner of ‘NEOM McLaren Electric Racing’.

The latest announcement with McLaren Shadow has been accompanied by the launch of the team’s new livery which features NEOM branding.

According to a statement, NEOM and McLaren Shadow are set to ‘collaborate on developing talent pathways in Saudi Arabia from grassroots through to high-performance sim racing, including opportunities to train in the McLaren Shadow Academy.’

Lucas Blakeley, Driver, McLaren Shadow, said,“The new livery is amazing. It looks very stealthy and feels really Shadow. I really cannot wait to represent the team with the new look with our new official primary partner on board. It’s going to be really cool, and I can’t wait to see it all come together.”

Neil Walker, Head of esports and Gaming, McLaren Racing, added, “It’s great to re-launch the team with this new look and feel. I can’t think of a better way of doing it than with our new official principal partner NEOM and our strong line-up of Lucas, Wilson, and Dani.

“The team are pleased to welcome NEOM to McLaren Shadow, building on their successful partnership with our NEOM McLaren Electric Racing teams in Formula E and Extreme E. We look forward to the collaboration to come, with a focus on developing grassroots talent in the sport. This is incredibly important to the team and wider McLaren Racing family. Supporting the talent of tomorrow is a key aim of our talent pathways, of which our own Wilson Hughes is a key example.

“The jersey and livery provide a bold look for the team, combining the iconic papaya with a distinct McLaren Shadow identity. Our intention to win the championship again is clear, all that’s left now is to go racing.”