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F1 Today | McLaren unveils Monaco livery, brawl in the Monza paddock

by sports••0
F1 Today | McLaren unveils Monaco livery, brawl in the Monza paddock
From McLaren delivering its Monaco Grand Prix livery celebrating the team’s 1000th GP in Formula 1 to news of a brawl in the Monza paddock during the GTWC Europe and its supporting series’ visit, GPblog brings you the best stories of the day.

McLaren unveils special 2026 Monaco GP livery

This year, the MCL40 will feature a different look in Monaco. McLaren is set for a special weekend, as the team’s 1,000th Formula 1 Grand Prix will now take place in the Principality rather than Miami following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix earlier this season.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: “Lining up on the grid to race McLaren’s 1000th Grand Prix in Monaco this year provides a perfect opportunity to recognise our rich history in motorsport. We’re only the second team to reach this incredible milestone, so what better moment to reflect on our past, our present and our future. Throughout our past, this team has always shown grit and determination, whether that be in periods of success or the trickier times. McLaren Never Quits, and this livery and the moment on Thursday is a special way to celebrate how far we’ve come. We look forward to running it out on track and recognising what we have achieved from our first race, here in Monaco back in 1966, through to now. Here’s to 1000 more.”

The team’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, also enjoy the different look on their car. In 2024, McLaren used a livery paying tribute to Ayrton Senna in Monte Carlo, while last year the team unveiled a Riviera-inspired design for the Monaco weekend.

Chaos in Monza: GT4 drivers banned from paddock, pepper spray involved

The Mogica brothers, Thibaut and Hugo, who drive the #51 CMR Ginetta G56 GT4 Evo in the Pro-Am category in the GT4 European Series, were involved in a brawl with track security. The incident reportedly stemmed from confusion over their vehicle entry pass to the circuit, but the driver continued without stopping when instructed to do so. As the situation escalated, pepper spray had to be used to regain control over the situation.

The drivers were suspended from competing in the second race of the weekend, handed a €5,000 suspended fine, and had to pack their things up with immediate effect as well. The stewards also wrote: “The conduct of the drivers in car 51 is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of motorsport, constituting a serious violation of the safety and behaviour standards required of all participants.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen gets clean slate, youngster escapes race ban threat ahead of Monaco GP

Max Verstappen spent much of the 2025 Formula 1 season being close to of a race ban. However, the Dutchman no longer has to worry about that. The four-time world champion once again has a clean slate in terms of penalty points.

As of today, the Red Bull Racing driver has zero penalty points on his super license, as the four points he received for his collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix has now expired.

Oliver Bearman once again has a little more room for error. After the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he was just one incident away from receiving a race ban. He now stands on eight penalty points after two points expired from his licence following the Canadian Grand Prix.