Every World Champion who has raced for McLaren showcases a unique resilience, having faced significant challenges on their journey to success. From intense rivalries to nagging reliability issues, these champions have navigated numerous obstacles on their path to securing their names in racing history.
The team from Woking has celebrated a champion in nearly every decade, with Lando Norris being the latest addition to an elite roster that includes icons like Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna, and Niki Lauda. We’ll explore how each of these champions battled for their titles with this legendary team…
Emerson Fittipaldi – 1974
When Fittipaldi made the unexpected choice to join McLaren in 1974, it seemed a puzzling decision, having previously won a title with the accomplished Lotus team. McLaren had not yet established itself as a powerhouse in F1, but Fittipaldi recognized the team’s strong potential and was soon winning races, taking the lead in the standings by the third Grand Prix.
Though his performance was commendable, Fittipaldi faced strong competition from his teammate Denny Hulme and the Ferrari duo of Lauda and Regazzoni, leading to a tight points race. Arriving at the finale in Watkins Glen nearly tied in points, both drivers struggled with the track’s rough surface. Fittipaldi successfully passed Regazzoni during the race, ultimately finishing fourth while securing the championship with a narrow point victory.
James Hunt – 1976
By 1976, McLaren was no longer the one needing to showcase its prowess, as the charismatic James Hunt sought a new team following financial difficulties with Lord Hesketh’s operation. A well-known risk-taker both on and off the track, Hunt made an immediate impact at McLaren by securing pole position at his debut race.
Despite his initial strong performances, Hunt faced numerous challenges, including technical issues and fierce competition from Lauda. However, a key victory at Paul Ricard revitalized his title hopes. The 1976 season became infamous when Lauda suffered a life-threatening crash; upon his return, Hunt managed to close the points gap, ultimately winning the championship by a single point at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Niki Lauda – 1984
After a three-year hiatus from the sport, two-time champion Lauda joined McLaren and formed a dynamic but turbulent partnership with Alain Prost. With powerful new Porsche engines, McLaren dominated the 1984 season, producing one of the closest championship battles in F1 history as Lauda and Prost traded wins, navigating reliability issues alike.
Entering the final race, Lauda led Prost by a slim margin. Despite starting poorly, he displayed incredible skill by climbing to second place and securing just enough points to narrowly clinch his third title by half a point.
