McLaren

McLaren in 2024

McLaren enjoyed their best F1 campaign in over a decade in 2023, with their form more than just a flash in the pan. A mid-season upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix turned their season around, propelling them from the midfield to challenging regularly for the podium.

Lando Norris finished second on six occasions in 2023, while Oscar Piastri starred on occasions, winning the Qatar sprint race. With the regulations remaining relatively stable over the winter, McLaren should be in contention for more silverware in 2024.

Off track, the good news is that McLaren have tied Norris down to a new multi-year deal, ensuring the Norris-Piastri pairing will remain at Woking until at least 2026.

McLaren's F1 history 

McLaren’s F1 history is decorated, going back all the way to the 1960s with Bruce McLaren - only Ferrari have competed in more F1 grands prix. McLaren’s early years resulted in occasional wins, ultimately culminating in their first title triumph in 1974. Emerson Fittipaldi became McLaren’s first F1 world champion in 1974, finishing three points ahead of Clay Regazzoni. James Hunt added to the title success for McLaren in 1976.

McLaren’s greatest years ultimately came in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly with Honda. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost won six titles between 1985 and 1991. McLaren’s form dipped following the departure of Honda, and then Senna.

Their next alliance, this time with Mercedes, proved fruitful as Mika Haikkinen added two more titles to the team’s trophy cabinet. They went close in 2005 and 2005 with Kimi Raikkonen, before Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 title at the expense of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

Since Hamilton’s departure at the end of 2012, McLaren have won just once. Their partnership with Honda between 2015 and 2017 was a complete failure, and they’ve been on a slow recovery since then.

Under Zak Brown’s leadership, McLaren’s resurgence appears to be on the right path, contending regularly for podiums in 2023.