OKX and McLaren Racing Celebrate Four-Year Partnership with Commemorative Livery at Monza

OKX and McLaren Racing have unveiled a commemorative livery for the MCL40 race cars, set to debut at the upcoming Italian and Spanish Grands Prix. For fintech professionals, this long-term collaboration illustrates how sustained sports sponsorships can transition from speculative brand-building to a core component of a firm’s global identity and technological narrative.

What was announced

OKX, a global cryptocurrency exchange and Official Primary Partner of McLaren Racing, revealed a bespoke design that will be featured on the team’s cars at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The livery celebrates a partnership that began in 2022, a period during which McLaren moved from the middle of the grid to becoming back-to-back Constructors’ World Champions in 2024 and 2025.

The new design will be driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri across both race weekends. This initiative follows several high-profile livery collaborations, including the 2023 "Stealth Mode" design in Singapore and the 2024 "SENNA" campaign at the Monaco Grand Prix. The SENNA campaign currently holds the record as the most successful livery in McLaren’s history for digital fan engagement. Additionally, the partnership previously produced a Riviera-inspired livery for the 2025 season.

Beyond branding, the partnership has contributed to significant technological advancements for the racing team. OKX’s investment supported the development of McLaren’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel, a facility that transformed the team’s approach to aerodynamic development. This infrastructure was a key factor in McLaren’s competitive turnaround, facilitating their rise from a midfield position to the top of the Formula 1 standings over the last four seasons.

"When we partnered with McLaren Racing in 2022, the team was mid-table and the road ahead wasn't obvious to everyone, but we believed in what this team could become. From Singapore to Monaco to the Riviera, every livery we've created together has marked a different moment in that journey. This one is about the partnership itself: what it took to get here, and what it represents for the team, for our brand, and for fans who've watched this story unfold with us."

Haider Rafique, Global Managing Partner & Chief Marketing Officer at OKX.

The companies involved

OKX is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange that has increasingly integrated itself into the mainstream financial and sporting worlds. As a Primary Partner of McLaren Racing, the company has focused on high-visibility campaigns to build brand trust within the digital asset sector. The firm operates in a competitive landscape where established fintech players are also expanding their reach through global partnerships.

McLaren Racing is one of the most successful and recognizable names in Formula 1. Under its current technical and commercial strategy, the team has achieved a significant resurgence, culminating in consecutive Constructors’ World Championships in 2024 and 2025. This success has been underpinned by major investments in its technological infrastructure, including its advanced wind tunnel facilities.

The broader market environment also features traditional financial giants like Mastercard, which continues to influence the fintech space through its own global network. Mastercard has been instrumental in facilitating new financial products, such as corporate debit cards and premium banking segments, often working alongside international banks to bridge the gap between traditional fiat currency and modern digital asset solutions.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously covered OKX’s efforts to bring digital assets into everyday use. In August 2026, we reported that Crypto Goes Mainstream: OKX Card Reports 280% Surge in Everyday Spending Across Europe. We have also tracked the infrastructure enabling these shifts, such as when Lithic and Monavate Partner to Streamline Fiat and Digital Asset Card Issuing.

Our coverage of traditional players entering the fintech arena includes reports on how Nubank Launches 'Croma' Segment Featuring 120% CDI Yield and Mastercard Platinum. Furthermore, we noted the expansion of global trade tools in our report on the National Bank of Egypt and Mastercard Launch USD Corporate Debit Card for Global Trade. These stories reflect a market where digital and traditional finance are increasingly converging.

What this means

The longevity of the OKX and McLaren partnership marks a shift in how crypto exchanges approach sports marketing. Moving away from the short-term "logo-slapping" seen during the early crypto boom, this collaboration highlights a move toward deep-tier technical integration and infrastructure support. By linking its brand to McLaren’s championship-winning turnaround, OKX is attempting to borrow the "engineering excellence" halo of Formula 1 to build institutional and retail credibility. This strategy puts pressure on other crypto firms to prove their value beyond simple liquidity, raising the bar for what constitutes a successful partnership in an increasingly scrutinized and utility-driven fintech sector.