It’s now official: the crown has been held onto. McLaren has secured the World Constructors’ Championship title for the 10th time in its history.
Over the weekend in Singapore, the Woking-based team clinched their 10th title, with three Sprint races and six Grands Prix still ahead—though they essentially wrapped up this victory well in advance.
It’s important to emphasize that when the season kicked off at the Australian Grand Prix in March, no one—neither the team nor the paddock—expect it to be this straightforward. At that time, it appeared the season would be competitive, with four teams battling for wins.
Contrary to those expectations, McLaren enhanced their advantage throughout 2024, benefiting from a superior car that allowed drivers to conserve their tires longer, providing both strategic and speed benefits that left the competition behind.
Transformative Leadership
The landscape has dramatically changed since Zak Brown became CEO in 2016. Back then, the team was severely lagging, finishing 689 points behind Mercedes and sitting in sixth place while he took over from a long-standing leader in the team’s history.
Ron Dennis transformed McLaren from a conventional driver/team startup into a title-contending powerhouse with high standards that propelled the sport forward, setting a tough standard for Brown to follow.
Brown has made decisive moves to achieve today’s success, including letting go of underperforming staff, which has not been typical in today’s sports climate. His boldness in personnel changes, including the promotion of Andrea Stella, has been crucial.
Stella, a respected figure who stepped up as Team Principal for the 2023 season, has fostered a collaborative environment, enabling the team to support two winning drivers, while achieving a remarkable points total of 650—double that of the next closest competitor, Mercedes.
Driver Cohesion
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have collectively achieved 12 Grand Prix wins this season. More than just skill, their collaborative effort embodies the team’s cohesive culture, with both ensuring any potential conflicts are swiftly resolved.
Their mutual support, such as Norris taking responsibility for a collision in Canada and Piastri adhering to team orders during a tricky situation at Monza, has solidified the team-first mentality.
Resource Efficiency in F1’s New Era
Under Stella’s guidance, McLaren has excelled in resource allocation during the budget cap era, a crucial aspect of staying competitive. The days of excessive spending are gone, necessitating smart investments.
The recruitment of Chief Designer Rob Marshall marked a pivotal turn for McLaren, coinciding with their significant update in Austria in 2023, leading to impressive performance and an accurate correlation between wind tunnel testing and track results.
Their accomplishments thus far include a record 28 podium finishes and a Constructors’ title, placing them second overall, surpassing Williams’ previous championship count of nine. As they look forward, the aim is to claim their first Drivers’ title since 2008 before tackling the new technical regulations for 2026.
