NEOM McLaren shows off 'world first' AI-generated race car livery

Developed in collaboration between NEOM and McLaren Racing, the livery features artwork built on visions of the future provided by the team's drivers; René Rast and Jake Hughes, as well as four members from NEOM’s Graduate Development Program. It is the first AI generated livery seen in an FIA World Championship.

“We are delighted to work with NEOM on the creation of the first AI-designed livery in motorsport," said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. "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.”

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.

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 organisation.

 “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," says Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO, NEOM. "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.”