F1: Chequered Flag Chequered Flag Extra: McLaren’s Meteoric Rise
Oct 9, 2025
In this discussion, Andrew Benson, BBC's F1 correspondent, dives into McLaren's incredible journey from the bottom of the standings to constructors' champions by 2025. He highlights the pivotal role of leaders Zac Brown and Andrea Stella, detailing how Stella’s technical changes revived the team. The conversation also touches on the fierce rivalry between drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and the challenges of managing their competition without risking collisions. Plus, they explore ongoing improvements and strategies for maintaining team fairness amidst rising tensions.
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Commercial Revival Funded The Technical Rebuild
- Zac Brown's commercial drive transformed McLaren from having almost no sponsors to being covered in partners.
- That commercial recovery funded infrastructure like a new wind tunnel and broader technical investment.
From Brink Of Collapse To Rapid Revival
- McLaren were the slowest car in 2018 and nearly financially collapsed before Zac Brown revived the team commercially.
- Strategic leadership changes and technical investment then drove a rapid on-track turnaround from 2023 onwards.
Restructure To Unlock Existing Talent
- Create clear technical roles and unlock sidelined talent to accelerate performance gains.
- Reorganise leadership and hire proven designers to turn latent capability into on-track results.