AbbVie has been named the official pharmaceutical partner of British Formula 1 team McLaren Racing, expanding its presence in the world of elite sport.
A new funding initiative
Under the agreement, the company will pledge $10,000 to global patient advocacy organisations for every 10 Constructors’ Championship points earned by McLaren.
The initiative, called ‘Race to Innovate’, will support organisations providing education, resources and support for people living with immune-mediated diseases.
The $10,000 figure links to estimates that around 10% of people worldwide are affected by autoimmune diseases, a therapy area in which AbbVie is a market leader.
Points are awarded when either of McLaren’s drivers, Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, finishes in the top 10 in a race. The pair have averaged around 20 Constructors’ Championship points per race weekend so far this season.
Why McLaren?
AbbVie said the partnership is built on shared goals around innovation and problem solving.
“AbbVie and McLaren may operate in different industries, but both are driven by a mindset of continuous improvement and shared determination to solve complex challenges,” said Tracie Haas, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, AbbVie.
Matt Dennington, Co-Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Racing, said the partnership comes at an exciting time for the team, ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
“This partnership brings together two organisations that share a relentless pursuit of progress, whether that’s pushing the limits of performance on track or advancing life-changing science off it,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to working with AbbVie to tell powerful stories about what it takes to drive progress, and to showcase the people and ideas behind it.”
The deal builds on AbbVie’s growing use of sport to raise awareness of its work in the immunology field. In the last year alone, the company has partnered with the Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball and the PGA TOUR on similar projects.
Race weekend launch
The McLaren collaboration officially launches at the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend. The campaign will run for the remainder of the 2026 season, which concludes in December, and into 2027.
Featured image: Julian Prizont-Cado on Adobe Stock
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