Gallery: McLaren unveils generative AI-designed livery for Formula E season finale in London

The Neom McLaren Formula E Team today unveiled a world first livery in an FIA championship designed using generative artificial intelligence (AI), as part of McLaren Racing's 60th anniversary year at this weekend's London E-Prix.

Developed in collaboration between title sponsor and McLaren Racing, the livery features artwork built on visions of the future provided by team's drivers Rene Rast and Jake Hughes, as well as four members from Neom's Graduate Development Program. Each contributor provided their personal vision, which was combined in an end-to-end AI process to produce the livery.

First, the visions were processed by a text AI to create a series of prompts. Next, the prompts were used to create an individual artwork for each vision using text-to-image AI. Finally, the six visuals were combined into one artwork using image-to-image AI, before being enhanced to create the high-resolution graphics that McLaren Racing designers mapped onto the car.

Future. Visions. Activated. ??

Introducing the world's first AI-designed motorsport livery, in partnership with NEOM. ?#NEOMxMcLaren @NEOM pic.twitter.com/Fpdpuu9CH7

— NEOM McLaren FE (@McLarenFE) July 26, 2023

The Neom Graduates, central to the design process, will join the Neom McLaren Electric Talent Programme later this year on a twelve-month development program with the team. It is part of an ongoing initiative that will welcome a number of graduates from Neom to the team over the next few years, with the aim of developing talent through experience within a world-renowned high-performance organization.

Brown: "A key moment in celebration of McLaren Racing's 60th anniversary"

"We are delighted to work with Neom on the creation of the first AI-designed livery in motorsport," says Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing. "When the car takes its place on the grid in London this weekend, it will mark a key moment in celebration of McLaren Racing's 60th anniversary. McLaren has a long history of innovation in motorsport and beyond, so as we celebrate our past, it's just as important to look to the future and continue to break new ground."

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of Neom, adds: "The Neom McLaren Formula E Team partnership supports various Neom commitments, from driving sustainable solutions and nurturing Saudi talent through development opportunities, to delivering new technology to the world. We have leveraged creative and innovative technology to create the AI-generated livery to celebrate a milestone in McLaren's history through visions of the future."

The London E-Prix starts with FP1 on Friday. The two races at the double-header are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.