McLaren Racing, the reigning Formula 1 constructors’ champions, has reinforced its long-term commercial and sporting strategy with two major developments.
The team confirmed a renewed multi-year partnership with Google while simultaneously expanding its investment in female talent pathways through an enhanced Driver Development Programme and a second F1 Academy entry from 2026.
McLaren Formula 1 Team will continue working with Google as an official primary partner under an extended agreement designed to deepen the use of Google’s technology across performance, engineering, design and fan engagement.
The renewed deal places Google Gemini, the company’s AI assistant, at the centre of McLaren’s wider workflow. The team will integrate Gemini into engineering processes, creative output and race operations, strengthening its real-time decision support systems both at the factory and at the track.
The partnership extension also locks in the continued use of Pixel devices, Google Health tools, Android technologies for rapid data capture and Chrome for simulation access, supported by Google Cloud’s analytics stack. During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren and Google will demonstrate the creative potential of Gemini with a live activation on Sphere that uses AI-driven visuals to reimagine McLaren liveries in real time, signalling a broader intent to apply AI across both performance and fan-facing experiences.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said, “Our partnership with Google has always been built on shared values of innovation and performance. The introduction of Gemini marks an exciting next step, helping us continually explore how AI can support our team both on and off the track. Google are an incredible partner and we look forward to continuing to push for innovation and excellence alongside them.”
Nick Drake, Global Vice President of Marketing, Google, added, “F1 is defined by rapid innovation, so we’re thrilled to place Gemini at the centre of our renewed partnership. We’re integrating our AI assistant into multiple aspects of the team’s workflow – giving engineers, drivers, and staff a powerful new tool to accelerate productivity and optimise performance across the team – while also bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.”
Alongside the commercial extension, McLaren Racing has taken a substantial step in its commitment to women in motorsport by expanding its Driver Development Programme and confirming a second F1 Academy entry from 2026.
The new structure will support a three-driver roster featuring returning driver Ella Lloyd, British talent Ella Stevens and 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen, daughter of two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen. The programme will provide multi-year development across driving, engineering, preparation and performance science.
The two McLaren-run entries in F1 Academy will continue to be operated by Rodin Motorsport. For 2026, the expanded effort will compete under the new name F1 Academy McLaren Oxagon, reflecting the team’s partnership with NEOM.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said, “While I recognise that more remains to be done to increase female representation in motorsport, I’m immensely proud of the progress we’ve made in this space. I hope this signals to all the amazingly talented female karters, drivers, engineers, mechanics, marketeers and accountants out there that our sport is open to all and deeply committed to keeping up the incredible momentum we have seen over the past few years.
“There are so many opportunities both at and away from track, and I want to thank NEOM for partnering with us in this space to help us open more pathways for women. To now have three talented young female drivers in our Driver Development Programme is really exciting, and I cannot wait to see them hit the track.”
The extended Google partnership reinforces McLaren’s push into AI-led optimisation at a time when competitive margins in Formula 1 are shaped by data speed, simulation accuracy and operational precision.
The strengthened commitment to female driver pathways positions McLaren as one of the leading teams supporting F1 Academy’s commercial growth and long-term mission to bring more women into elite-level motorsport.
Across global motorsport, technology and talent development continue to converge. Leading Formula 1 teams including Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, have deepened data and cloud partnerships with major tech firms, while F1 Academy’s growth has seen increased investment from teams and sponsors. McLaren’s dual announcement reflects both trends, signalling a strategy built on performance innovation and broader participation.
