McLaren Racing Accelerates Innovation with Deepened Google Gemini & Cloud Deal

McLaren Racing has announced a significant renewal and deepening of its partnership with Google, underscoring the team’s commitment to embedding cutting-edge AI in every aspect of its Formula 1 operations. This extended deal will see Google’s Gemini AI assistant placed firmly at the core of McLaren’s technological and creative workflows, helping the team work smarter, faster, and more creatively across race weekends and beyond.

Central to the agreement is the continued use of Google Cloud’s analytics and AI stack, which McLaren already relies on for high-performance data modeling and strategic simulations. With Gemini, the team plans to unlock new efficiencies: engineers can tap into generative support for complex design challenges, performance staff can run faster analyses, and decision-making during high-pressure situations will be informed by real-time AI insights. The partnership isn’t just about performance - it’s also highly visible for fans. Over the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, McLaren and Google will bring Gemini’s creative power to life through a live transformation of its car livery on the Sphere, morphing its appearance in real time from oil painting to technical blueprint, immersing audiences in a 360-degree visual spectacle.

Gemini made its Grand Prix debut earlier, contributing to McLaren’s livery and even inspiring Oscar Piastri’s custom helmet design - showing how deeply generative AI is now woven into the fabric of the team. Beyond Gemini, Google’s broader tech ecosystem continues to fuel McLaren’s operations: Pixel and Android devices capture pit-stop performance data, Chrome browsers support simulation, and Google Health tools help maintain team connectivity.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, framed the extension as a continuation of a “shared vision” between two innovation-driven organisations. Gemini, he said, represents a new frontier: an assistant that supports engineers, drivers, and managers not only as a tool, but as a creative partner. Meanwhile, Google’s Nick Drake described the collaboration as a way to “bring fans closer to the action than ever before,” highlighting how the technology fuels both behind-the-scenes performance and front-facing engagement.

Ultimately, McLaren’s extended partnership with Google isn’t just a commercial renewal - it’s a strategic investment into a future where AI helps shape everything from race simulations to fan experiences. As Formula 1 evolves, McLaren is placing Google’s Gemini at the heart of its ambition to stay on the cutting edge.