McLaren Join Exclusive F1 Club With Ferrari As Historic 1,000th GP Start Beckons

Published 1 June 2026 · sports

McLaren Join Exclusive F1 Club With Ferrari As Historic 1,000th GP Start Beckons Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 13:38 IST McLaren are set

McLaren Join Exclusive F1 Club With Ferrari As Historic 1,000th GP Start Beckons Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 13:38 IST McLaren are set for their 1,000th F1 start, becoming only the second team after Ferrari to reach the milestone as champions and one of F1's greatest success stories. Rapid Read McLaren in action (AP) McLaren is preparing to reach one of F1’s greatest milestones. This weekend in Monaco, McLaren will make their 1,000th Formula One start, becoming only the second team after Ferrari to achieve the feat. Unlike any other team to reach the landmark, McLaren arrive as reigning champions. A Legacy Written In Victories What began as a modest operation founded by the late New Zealander has evolved into one of the sport’s most decorated teams. Since claiming their first Grand Prix victory in 1968, McLaren have amassed 203 race wins, 10 constructors’ championships and 13 drivers’ titles. Their latest success came with Lando Norris securing the 2025 world championship after McLaren returned to the summit of Formula One in dramatic fashion.

Only Ferrari can boast a longer history and a larger trophy cabinet, with 247 wins and 16 constructors’ titles. Yet the Italian giants have not won a championship since 2008, while McLaren are currently enjoying a new golden era. Roll Call Of Champions From Fittipaldi To Norris Few teams can match McLaren’s list of legendary drivers. The championship journey began with Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974 and continued through James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Lewis Hamilton and, most recently, Norris. “To see my name alongside some of these guys is very special," Norris said. The team’s influence stretches even further, with champions such as Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Nigel Mansell, Kimi Raikkonen and Jody Scheckter all spending time in McLaren colours. From Dominance To Decline — And Back Again McLaren’s history has never been short on drama. Under Ron Dennis, who took control in 1981, the team became a technological powerhouse.

The Senna-Prost era produced some of Formula One’s most iconic moments, including the near-perfect 1988 season when McLaren won 15 of 16 races. The team also endured controversy, most notably the infamous 2007 “Spygate" scandal, which resulted in a record $100 million FIA fine. After years of decline and internal turbulence, Dennis departed in 2017. McLaren slipped down the grid, sponsors disappeared and morale suffered. The Brown-Stella Revival The turnaround began when Zak Brown arrived as CEO in 2018. “When I started, the team had definitely gone through tough times," Brown recalled. “We were ninth in the championship, we didn’t have many partners and the partners we had weren’t very happy." Brown credits the revival to people and culture, while preserving the team’s rich heritage. “What was great was our brand. It wasn’t in a great place, but you can’t take away the history and heritage." Team principal Andrea Stella believes that history remains McLaren’s greatest strength.