McLaren names AbbVie pharmaceutical partner ahead of US Grand Prix
The Formula 1 team says a new campaign will link AbbVie donations to its Constructors’ Championship points, starting at the United States Grand Prix.
McLaren Racing announced on October 20, 2026, that AbbVie would become the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team’s official pharmaceutical partner at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The agreement includes a planned campaign tying donations for people with immune-mediated diseases to the team’s Constructors’ Championship points.
Under the campaign, called AbbVie Race to Innovate, every 10 Constructors’ Championship points McLaren scores will unlock a $10,000 donation from AbbVie. McLaren said the money would go to patient advocacy organisations around the world that provide education, resources and support for people living with immune-mediated diseases.
How McLaren points will trigger AbbVie donations
Constructors’ points come from the finishing positions of McLaren’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. EMJ GOLD reported that the pair had averaged about 20 points per race weekend so far this season. That result would correspond to two $10,000 donation increments under the announced formula, though the amount in any weekend will depend on the points actually scored.
McLaren described the partnership as a multi-year arrangement. It said AbbVie would keep donating through the full 2027 season, while the campaign would also feature stories about innovation and activities aimed at fans. EMJ GOLD reported that the campaign is due to run from the Austin race through the rest of the 2026 season and into 2027.
Why AbbVie is entering Formula 1
McLaren said the $10,000 figure reflects its estimate that autoimmune diseases affect approximately 10% of the world’s population. That estimate is the companies’ stated rationale for the donation amount, rather than a measure of how many people the campaign will reach.
McLaren Co-Chief Commercial Officer Matt Dennington welcomed AbbVie ahead of the United States Grand Prix, describing the organisations as sharing a pursuit of progress on the track and in science. EMJ GOLD reported that AbbVie had also partnered with the Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball and the PGA TOUR in the preceding year, extending the drugmaker’s presence in sport.
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Sources and context
- McLaren Teams Up With AbbVie Before Formula 1 United States GP At COTAForbes (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- AbbVie makes Formula 1 debut with McLarenEMJ GOLD
- McLaren Racing announces partnership with AbbVie, launching ‘AbbVie Race to Innovate’ at United States Grand PrixMcLaren Racing
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.