McLaren

McLaren F1

Bruce McLaren founded his own Formula 1 team in 1966 after achieving success with the Cooper team. The first victory came in 1968 in Belgium, followed by a win at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite these successes, the team fell just short of securing the title. McLaren also excelled in other racing classes such as Can-Am, but tragically, Bruce McLaren passed away in 1970 during a test session. Despite his death, the McLaren name remained synonymous with the team.

Rise and Fall of McLaren

In 1974, McLaren won its first F1 Championship with Emerson Fittipaldi. The team remained competitive with drivers like James Hunt and Niki Lauda but faced strong competition from teams like Ferrari and Williams. A partnership with Honda engines in 1988 ushered in a new era of dominance with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, but this period of success was short-lived. By 1992, Honda engines were surpassed by other manufacturers, and both Senna and Prost left the team.

Return to the Top and New Challenges

McLaren regained the Constructors' Championship in 1998 with Mika Häkkinen and achieved further success with drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen. However, from 2010 onwards, Red Bull Racing dominated the sport, and McLaren experienced fluctuating results. The return of Honda as an engine supplier in 2015 didn’t bring the desired success, and after several disappointing seasons, the team underwent a leadership change. Under Zak Brown and the now-departed Andreas Seidl, McLaren embarked on a journey back to success, implementing fresh approaches and strategies.

McLaren 2025

In 2024, McLaren clinched the Constructors' Championship after catching up with Red Bull Racing in development. However, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were unable to defeat Max Verstappen for the Drivers' Championship. The goal for 2025 is to change that, with McLaren aiming to secure the Drivers' Championship title.

McLaren 2024

After a strong finish to the 2023 season, McLaren struggled early in 2024. However, their fortunes changed starting with the Miami Grand Prix, where Lando Norris won his first race. McLaren continued developing their car throughout the season and, by the end, had taken the lead in the Constructors' Championship. Despite a close fight with Ferrari until the final race, McLaren managed to hold on to the lead. In total, McLaren won six races, with Norris claiming four victories and Piastri two.

McLaren F1 Drivers 2025

In 2025, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will continue as McLaren’s driver lineup. Norris achieved his first F1 victories in 2024 and has openly stated his intention to fight for the World Championship in 2025. Piastri also secured his first wins in 2024 and will be equally determined to challenge for his first World Championship in 2025.

McLaren Triple Crown Livery

McLaren appeared at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix with a special livery called the Triple Crown livery. This design was a tribute to the Triple Crown that McLaren has achieved in motorsport: winning the 1974 Indy 500 with Johnny Rutherford, the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix with Alain Prost, and the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans with JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas, and Masanori Sekiya.

Which Engine Does McLaren Use in F1?

McLaren has switched engines three times in recent years. In 2017, the team raced with Honda engines, followed by a four-year deal with Renault. For 2021, McLaren opted for the powerful Mercedes engine, which has helped the team return to fighting for wins and championships.

McLaren F1 News

Stay up to date with the latest news about McLaren and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. From official announcements, updates, and track performances to preparations and activities outside the F1 season, you’ll find it all first on GPblog.com.