‘It’s like family’: team Bruce McLaren built is carved in his image as they mark 1,000th GP McLaren is commemorating its 1000th Grand Prix, a journey that began in 1966 with founder Bruce McLaren. Despite initial setbacks and McLaren’s untimely death in 1970, the team has secured a remarkable record of victories and championships, becoming second only to Ferrari in longevity and success. The team’s enduring spirit, characterized by a strong sense of family and shared purpose, has fueled a recent resurgence, solidifying its place as an F1 icon.

• McLaren is celebrating its 1000th Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in Formula 1 history.
• The team was founded by Bruce McLaren in 1966, with its first F1 car, the M2B, debuting at Monaco.
• McLaren has achieved 203 victories, 13 drivers’ titles, and 10 constructors’ championships.
• Founder Bruce McLaren died in 1970, but his inspirational tenacity and leadership ethos continue to drive the team.
• Key figures in McLaren’s history include drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris.
• The team experienced a period of decline between 2015-2017 but has since revived under Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, achieving significant success in recent years.
• Employees express a strong sense of belonging and pride in working for McLaren, viewing it as more than just a job and akin to family.
• Notable victories highlighted include the 1968 Belgian GP (Bruce McLaren), 1988 Japanese GP (Ayrton Senna), 2005 Japanese GP (Kimi Räikkönen), 2008 British GP (Lewis Hamilton), and Miami 2024 (Lando Norris).