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From DRS to DNF, porpoising to pole position, Formula 1 is rife with specialist lingo that can be confusing to newcomers, and the internet is no different.

Terminology such as digital collectibles and Web3 can be daunting and confusing, but they offer fans a way to get closer to the team than ever before and we’d hate for you to miss out, which is why we are here to explain what they are and what it means for you as a member of the Papaya Army.

What is Web3?

Web3 describes the next era of the internet. It is a vision for a decentralised internet focused on ownership and participation – empowering users to take control of their digital lives. Web3 puts the power in your hands.

Why 3?

Good question. The internet can be divided into three eras:

Web1: Read-only

Think Mika Häkkinen in the Japanese Grand Prix in 1999, dial-up modems, and static web pages.

After launching a browser and waiting for your webpage to load, F1 fans could read post-race reports. If you missed Mika clinching his second title in 1999, you could relive the action by reading a thrilling text article.

Functional, but not as engaging as it could be. This era of the web was read-only.

Web2: A one-way system

Think Lewis Hamilton winning the title at the last corner at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008, smartphones and MySpace (remember that?).

The current era of the internet started to take shape in the mid-2000s. This period saw the growth of social media and big tech firms such as Google. Users could enjoy instant access to content, and fans could even watch the races on their phones – this would have been unthinkable in the 1990s.

Web2 proved to be a quantum leap from the text-based experience of being a motor racing fan in the '90s, but it was mostly a one-way relationship, with brands and teams providing fans with content to consume.

Enter Web3.

Web3: Community at the heart

Think about our Miami Grand Prix win in 2024, digital collectibles and Discord.

Web3 is all about giving control back to the users. New technology, such as blockchains, means fans can take direct ownership of digital collectibles. Fans can buy and sell digital assets to each other without the need for a centralised service. In the future, your Grand Prix ticket could be backed by blockchain technology and stored in a digital wallet where they are automatically verified as authentic.

Community lies at the heart of the Web3 experience. Fans can discuss all the racing action with each other on McLaren’s Discord server and help decide the direction of the NFT digital collectible programme.

What is McLaren Racing’s Discord server?

The McLaren Racing Discord is the home of the Web3 community. It allows you to get to know other friendly members of the Papaya Army, all with similar interests and our digital collectibles play a part in this. Think of it as an online coffee shop, your very own virtual 'Central Perk', where we host fun events including race watches and quiz nights where members of the community can win prizes.  

I just want to support McLaren, why should I care?

New technology allows fans to get closer to the team than ever before. Blockchain technology means you can be rewarded for simply being a fan. Whether it’s signed merch or an experience, such as an exclusive tour of the McLaren Technology Centre, a trackside VIP McLaren Fan Experience, or a virtual driver briefing, fans can unlock exclusive perks just by owning a digital collectible. 

Want to know more? Join the McLaren Racing Discord and live out this new era with us.