BAT x McLaren Formula 1 Team Partnership

20. april 2026

BAT and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have a long-standing partnership since 2019 that is rooted in a shared passion for technology, innovation and design. The mission was to drive innovation through creativity. This vision has been realised through numerous campaigns that emphasize the shared commitment to pushing boundaries; from trail-blazing livery campaigns, to enlivening fan engagement programs. McLaren has had consecutive F1 Constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and a Drivers’ Championship in 2025 and are excited for what lies ahead for the Papaya Family.  

 

Live Your Fandom campaign

Throughout 2025, VELO and the McLaren Formula 1 Team put fandom front and centre with the ‘Live Your Fandom’ campaign. The campaign united McLaren fans worldwide as part of the Papaya Family. In September, nine McLaren superfans from the UK, Romania, Czech Republic, Mexico, Austria and beyond, were invited to the McLaren Technology Centre for a “golden ticket” experience. This experience included a behind-the-scenes tour, sharing memories with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, a surprise Q&A with McLaren F1 Team driver Lando Norris, and an intimate workshop where they sketched symbols of their most defining McLaren moments.

 

A Brief History of McLaren Racing

Founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963, McLaren entered Formula 1 in 1966. The team has since won 13 F1 Drivers' Championships, 10 Constructors' Championships, more than 200 Grand Prix races, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.

 

Formula 1 Background

If you’re new to Formula 1, you may have a few questions about the sport. It is considered the highest class of international racing for single-seater formula racing cars, the pinnacle of motorsport and the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition.

Drivers compete for the Drivers’ Championship and teams fight for the Constructors’ Championship. Each race is known as a Grand Prix, and they’re held in incredible locations around the world: a total of 24 races in 21 countries across five continents. This year, 2026, marks the 76th anniversary of the Formula 1 World.

 

McLaren, VELO and the 2025 Constructors’ Championship

McLaren entered the 2025 Formula 1 season as reigning Constructors’ Champions, following a title-defining 2024 campaign that began with the unveiling of the MCL38 and culminated in a decisive finale in Abu Dhabi. That momentum has carried forward.
 

Throughout the 2025 season, McLaren’s performance has remained consistently strong. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the Drivers’ standings, the team continues to set the benchmark in the Constructors’ Championship.

This pursuit of excellence mirrors VELO’s own focus on innovation and high-performance thinking. As a global partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, Velo maintains on-car and off-car presence across the season, including its branding on McLaren’s Formula 1 liveries.

 

What are nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches are small pouches that contain nicotine but not tobacco*. They’re designed to be tucked between your lip and gum, where they release nicotine over a short time – this can be different from brand to brand (VELO pouches release nicotine up to 30 minutes ).
VELO pouches also come in an assortment of flavors and nicotine strengths for different tastes and nicotine experience levels. Nicotine in a VELO pouch? Weird. No smoke**, ash or charging? Wonderful.
 

You can learn more about what nicotine pouches are in our guide.


Stay ahead with McLaren MasterCard Formula 1 Team updates from the 2026 Formula 1 season.

*This product does not contain tobacco. That does not mean this product is risk-free.
**This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.

 

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