Racing cars look great in Gulf colours. There's something about the blue and orange combo that works on the race track, regardless of the series. And when the orange is particularly symbolic to the manufacturer itself, you get a stunning showpiece that is the McLaren MCL35M bound for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
The one-off retro livery is the product of McLaren Racing's strategic partnership with Gulf Oil International that began last year. The two companies are no strangers to each other, having worked together since Bruce McLaren's days in the 1960s. This marks the first time a McLaren racing car will race in Gulf's instantly recognisable colours since the F1 GTR Longtail finished second at the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans while sporting the iconic blue and fluro orange colour scheme.
Naturally, drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will get matching racing suits and helmet to complete this weekend's retro look. The team is also rolling out merchandise designed along the same lines for diehard fans who want to look the part as well.
According to McLaren, 'the evocative livery marks the return of the sport to one of Formula One’s most emblematic grand prix and brings fans one of the most recognisable and admired motorsport liveries of all time'. If the team's objective was truly to make a statement on their return to the principality, we'd say they've gotten it pretty spot on.