McLaren will participate in the Suzuka event with a livery created by Japanese artist MILTZ on the two MCL38s driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The livery, which changes the appearance of the bonnet, bellies and front wing, depicts a dragon running among the clouds, with elements inspired by Japanese calligraphy from the Edo period.
“MILTZ's artwork is inspired by Edomoji, a traditional Japanese calligraphy, which fuses art and modern culture and which, in this case, was used to represent the speed of a Formula 1 car underneath shaped like a dragon running through the clouds,” McLaren explained.
McLaren's latest livery change is part of the so-called Driven by Change campaign, created together with partner British American Tobacco, which displays its Vuse brand of electronic cigarettes on the Woking team's cars.
McLaren MCL38 special livery
Photo by: McLaren
McLaren said the campaign, which returns for a fourth season, “celebrates emerging creatives across the global motorsport platform, providing the opportunity to showcase their innovative artwork to the world.”
“We are really excited to bring Driven by Change to Japan for the 2024 iteration of the campaign alongside our partner Vuse,” said Louise McEwen, chief marketing officer of McLaren Racing.
“Now in its fourth year, we have seen the success of the campaign in showcasing the incredible creativity of these talented and unknown artists on our race cars.”
Designer MILTZ added: “When I became a freelance artist, I never thought such an opportunity was possible – this is the largest international project I have ever done.”
McLaren MCL38 special livery
Photo by: McLaren
“As I continue to build my profile as an artist, I want my works to uphold the rich traditions of Japanese writing culture, such as Edomoji, but with a modern twist. From my work with local businesses in Japan to the McLaren team at Formula 1, there are so many great stories to tell through art.”
This weekend McLaren returns to the site of their first double podium of the 2023 season, with Norris and Piastri taking second and third place respectively in last year's Japanese GP.
In the first three races of the 2024 season, the Woking team has emerged third in the Constructors' standings, behind Red Bull and Ferrari, and heads into Suzuka with a narrow lead over Mercedes.
McLaren MCL38 special livery
Photo by: McLaren
Watch: McLaren: here is the livery for the Japanese GP
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