An in-depth look at the history of Formula 1 team McLaren – Part 2
One of the most legendary teams in Formula 1 history McLaren became a part of the sport back in 1966 and after going through a roller-coaster like ride until the 1982 Formula 1 season, it seemed that the team’s performance became even more consistent and
reliable.
In 1982, the team signed Niki Lauda after which the team was back on track and secured the 2nd place in the constructors’ standings. McLaren scored 69 points with the help of 4 victories and 8 podium positions.
In 1983 however, the team decided to shift from Ford to TAG engines and in the process, their constructors’ standing was affected that year as they finished in 5th place in the constructors’ standings.
The following year was a major breakthrough for the team as they signed Alain Prost once again but this time alongside Niki Lauda. Therefore, the team’s overall performance improved drastically as a result of which they won their 2nd constructors’
title quite dominantly with 143.5 points.
The team secured 12 race wins, 18 podium positions and 3 pole positions as a whole and since they were headed by one of the most legendary team principals in the history of Formula 1 Ron Dennis, the team’s major performance uplift began.
McLaren secured another title in 1985 but failed to do so in 1986 as Lauda departed from the team and the 1986 Formula 1 season was no different either as the team secured the 2nd place in the constructors’ standings in these two years.
The team’s peak time began after that as they signed Ayrton Senna alongside Alain Prost and secured 4 titles dominantly in the sport from 1988-1991 and shifted to Honda engines during this time.
However, two of these titles came without Alain Prost as the team replaced him with Gerhard Berger.
After another rough patch from 1992-1997, the team balanced itself once again and signed with Mercedes as their engine providers finally. In 1998, the team secured the title with the help of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.
After that, the team secured the drivers’ title on two occasions but disappointingly, they did not secure a single constructors’ title.
McLaren finished in 2nd place in the constructors’ standings from 1999-2001 and after that, they finished 3rd place for the two following years with drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard.
The 2004 Formula 1 season was quite disappointing for the team though as they finished in 5th place in the constructors’ standings.
After signing Juan Pablo Montoya as a replacement for David Coulthard though, the team had a pretty dominant run in 2005 as they finished in 2nd place followed by another 3rd place finish in the constructors’ standings in the 2006 Formula
1 season.
The team changed its drivers’ line-up completely and signed the reigning world champion Fernando Alonso and a new driver Lewis Hamilton.
The team was disqualified in that year but had a pretty good run as both of its drivers secured the 2nd place in the drivers’ standings.
In 2008, Alonso departed from the team due to personal reasons and the team finished in 2nd place in the constructors’ standings even though Hamilton won the drivers’ title. 2009 however was quite disappointing for the team as they finished in
3rd place way behind the two championship contenders.
The 2010 Formula 1 season gave the team some hope once again though as they finished in 2nd place in the constructors’ and one has to admit, that McLaren are one of the most legendary teams of the sport as they have secured 8 constructors, and
12 drivers’ titles with some of the most legendary drivers of the sport.
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