In 2024, McLaren secured its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, ending Red Bull’s reign as the team with the most dominant car. This achievement marks a historic moment for the Woking-based team, which transformed years of disappointing results into an extraordinary triumph, reclaiming its place at the pinnacle of Formula 1.
An Unexpected but Deserved Triumph
Former driver David Coulthard, who raced for McLaren from 1997 to 2004, emphasized the team’s potential to maintain momentum in the coming years. Speaking as an analyst during Channel 4’s coverage of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, Coulthard remarked: “What made this so special is that they’re ahead of schedule. They didn’t start the year thinking they’d be title contenders. They’ve been working on this project for years, and suddenly, not even halfway through the season, they started emerging. They’re showing speed. The upgrades work. The drivers are collaborating exceptionally well, and that momentum carried them to the title. Everything now points to 2025, where they’ll be favorites with drivers capable of winning.”
The Secret to Success: The People
Coulthard credited much of McLaren’s resurgence to their ability to reorganize and invest in the right talent: “The key has been the people. McLaren, that legendary name from the ’80s and ’90s, needed rebuilding. They had to regain confidence and stability as a team.”
According to the former driver, Zak Brown, the team’s current CEO, played a pivotal role. Since 2018, Brown has spearheaded a strategic transformation, restoring McLaren to its former glory. With his direct and passionate leadership style, he built a cohesive and competitive team, reviving the papaya color on the grid with a livery adorned with prestigious sponsors.
A Decisive Leadership Change
A game-changing move was promoting Andrea Stella to Team Principal in 2023. Stella, who joined McLaren in 2015, brought with him experience gained as a race engineer at Ferrari, where he worked with champions like Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, and Fernando Alonso.
Andrea Stella fostered a technical and human environment conducive to success. Moreover, the decision to bet on two young talents, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, proved instrumental in McLaren’s triumph.
Oscar Piastri: From Gamble to Certainty
Piastri’s arrival in the team in 2023 was not without controversy. The Australian, previously linked to the Alpine Academy, made the bold decision to leave the French team, sparking skepticism within the paddock. “He wouldn’t have driven” for Alpine, he stated, responding to a premature announcement from the team.
His decision to join McLaren, however, turned out to be the right one. With 292 points scored in 2024, Oscar Piastri not only claimed his first Grand Prix victory but also outperformed Alpine by a staggering 227 points.
Looking Ahead
If David Coulthard’s predictions come true, McLaren will be the team to beat in 2025. With two young talents like Piastri and Norris, the team appears destined to contend not only for the Constructors’ Championship but also for the Drivers’ title.
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