AkzoNobel and McLaren Racing are set to deepen their nearly twenty-year partnership, signalling a renewed commitment to innovation as McLaren prepares for its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Speciality Coatings division, said the continuation of the partnership reflects a shared drive for progress. He emphasised that the companies will keep pushing technological boundaries, particularly in sustainability, advanced materials and new product development, noting that the pursuit of improvement “never stops”.
McLaren Racing’s Co-Chief Commercial Officer, Matt Dennington, highlighted the strength and longevity of the collaboration, describing AkzoNobel as a trusted ally whose dedication to performance mirrors McLaren’s own ambitions. He added that as the team transitions into the WEC arena, partnerships built on innovation and excellence will be vital to future success.
The WEC is renowned for its demanding endurance races, testing the resilience of both teams and machinery across long-distance events. Its premier Hypercar category, introduced in 2021, represents the pinnacle of technological and engineering achievement in sports car racing. McLaren holds a notable place in endurance racing history, having famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut appearance in 1995.
Alongside preparations for the WEC season, McLaren is also gearing up for major milestones in its Formula 1 campaign. The 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 car is scheduled for unveiling on 9 February, with pre-season testing set to begin in Bahrain on 12 February. The opening Grand Prix of the year will then take place in Australia on 8 March.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the collision repair industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the African automotive sector forward.
More From News
From Nissan Legacy to Chery Vision: Rosslyn’s Transformation
The Rosslyn automotive plant in Pretoria, once a bastion of Japanese manufacturing strength, has entered a new phase under the stewardship of Chery Automobile.
BASF Coatings Becomes Surventis and Begins New Chapter as Independent Business
Surventis has officially launched as an independent company, marking the completion of its carve-out from BASF and positioning the former BASF Coatings business as a major global player in automotive coatings and surface treatment.
New Automotive Hub Set to Drive Opportunity in Alexandra
The City of Johannesburg is preparing to bring the Alexandra Automotive Hub into operation, creating a platform for township enterprise development, technical skills training and wider participation in the automotive value chain.
Ford’s Quality Comeback Shows AI Needs Human Memory
Ford’s quality improvement highlights why artificial intelligence works best when it is guided by the practical knowledge of experienced engineers and specialists.
Plasnomics to Launch Global Benchmark Plastic Repair Centre in US, No Plans for South Africa
Plasnomics will open its first Plastic Repair Excellence Centre in Dallas, Texas, as the company develops a global repair-first model for automotive plastics, although there are currently no plans for a similar facility in South Africa.
SAMBRA Urges Insurers to Broaden Fuel Relief as Repairers Face Mounting Cost Pressure
SAMBRA is calling on insurers to introduce more consistent fuel relief measures, warning that rising operating costs continue to place significant pressure on South Africa's motor body repair industry.