McLaren unveil major new deal with Intel starting from Canadian Grand Prix

McLaren Racing has announced a major new multi-year technology partnership with Intel, which joins the Woking-based team as its Official Compute Partner. The deal begins at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where Intel branding will appear on the MCL40.

Why it matters:

In modern Formula 1 and IndyCar, data is as critical as horsepower. The ability to process massive amounts of information in real-time can make the difference between a podium finish and a midfield result. By securing Intel’s compute infrastructure, McLaren strengthens its capability to turn raw data into actionable insights for race strategy, car setup, and development.

The details:

• The partnership will support McLaren Racing with a secure, scalable compute foundation, including trackside edge computing for real-time analytics and decision-making.
• Intel logos will debut on the MCL40 from the Canadian Grand Prix (next weekend), and the agreement also extends to Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar program.
  • Intel branding will appear on one of the Arrow McLaren entries at the Freedom 250 in Washington DC this year.
  • From the 2027 edition onward, Intel will be featured at the iconic Indianapolis 500.
• The deal also covers McLaren’s F1 Sim Racing Team, with Intel as an Official Partner. Branding will appear on stage simulators at this month’s F1 Sim Racing World Championship finale, and virtual liveries will integrate Intel logos from 2027.

What they said:

McLaren CEO Zak Brown: “Performance in IndyCar and Formula 1 racing is driven by technology, and partnering with Intel strengthens our ability to innovate at scale.” Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan: “Formula 1 racing and IndyCar are some of the ultimate proving grounds for high-performance computing. Together, Intel and McLaren will push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

What's next:

The partnership immediately enhances McLaren’s data processing capabilities, with the first visible branding arriving trackside in Canada. As the collaboration matures, fans can expect deeper integration into McLaren’s digital and sim racing platforms, with the 2027 Indy 500 marking a major milestone for the tie-up in North America.