McLaren unveils Senna tribute car for Monaco GP

McLaren has unveiled the green, yellow and blue livery scheme it will run at the Monaco Grand Prix as a tribute to Ayrton Senna.

McLaren’s car will carry the new look, as well as the “Senna” name logo on the rear wing and on either side of the front wing, for the duration of the Monte Carlo weekend.

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The livery will commemorate Senna’s legacy 30 years after he died in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna is McLaren’s most successful driver, having won all three of his world championships (in 1988, 1990 and 1991) with the team.

While there had been speculation McLaren would revert to the famous white and red of Senna’s era with the team, it has instead opted for a scheme incorporating the Brazilian flag colours Senna carried with him on his race helmet. The design has allowed McLaren to keep its traditional papaya colour on the front wing, before it fades back into the yellow further along the car.

Senna’s legacy remains one of the strongest in F1 today — there are plenty of people associated with the sport who regard him as the greatest driver in the championship’s history.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel led tributes to Senna ahead of the race at Imola last week, which included a pre-race show run in the Brazilian’s 1993 car.

McLaren’s drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a chance to defend one of Senna’s records with the special Monaco livery.

Max Verstappen equaled Senna’s eight consecutive pole positions at Imola last week, meaning he is just one away from making the record his own.

McLaren and Ferrari are hopeful of taking the fight to Red Bull at the tight and twisty Monte Carlo circuit.