McLaren roared back to the pinnacle of Formula 1 in 2024, clinching their first Constructors' Championship since 1998 in a season that thrilled papaya fans and sent waves of jubilation through Woking and beyond.
Lando Norris' Abu Dhabi victory not only sealed the championship but also symbolized the culmination of years of effort, with the team finishing 14 points ahead of Ferrari and a commanding 77 clear of reigning world champions Red Bull.
Under the leadership of team principal Andrea Stella, McLaren's engineers zeroed in on three crucial areas of the team's MCL38 contender: tire performance, aerodynamic efficiency, and mechanical grip.
The positive results were evident early on, with the car's standout rear grip and technical upgrades — notably in Miami and the Netherlands — giving McLaren an edge. Miami even marked a milestone for Norris, who claimed his maiden Grand Prix win.
©McLaren
McLaren's drivers delivered brilliantly. Norris, buoyed by newfound consistency, racked up four victories, including a gutsy finale in Abu Dhabi. While his quest for a Drivers' Championship fell short, the 25-year-old displayed the tenacity and intelligence of a seasoned champion, although failing to capitalize on pole position at Zandvoort and at Interlagos were rare dim points.
On the other side of the garage, second-year sensation Oscar Piastri shone, with two wins and ten podiums, even outpacing Norris at times. Their one-two finish in Hungary — McLaren's first since 2012 — exemplified the dynamic partnership, albeit with the occasional strategic controversy.
However, the season wasn't without its missteps. Austria was a low point, with Norris suffering a puncture after a late-race clash with Verstappen, and Piastri struggling with track limits in qualifying.
But the setbacks were rare in a campaign defined by resilience. By Azerbaijan, McLaren had taken the lead in the Constructors' standings, a position they wouldn't relinquish.
McLaren's organizational stability played a pivotal role in the team's success, despite a brief disruption. David Sanchez, who had joined the team from Ferrari as a key technical figure, departed after just a few months.
However, Stella and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown ensured that this shake-up didn't derail their championship ambitions, guiding McLaren with a clear vision and unwavering focus and placing the team back where it belongs – at the summit of Formula 1.
What's in store for 2025?
McLaren heads into the 2025 Formula 1 season with a target on their back – a consequence of their 2024 Constructors' Championship victory. The pressure will be immense to replicate, or even build upon, that success. While the core driver pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remains unchanged, the challenge lies in maintaining their competitive edge amidst the ever-evolving landscape of F1.
McLaren's rivals aren't standing still this winter, nor will they during next season's fierce development race when the Woking-based outfit will need to demonstrate their ability to innovate and adapt while bringing consistent upgrades to the track.
Maintaining the strong team dynamic between Norris and Piastri will be crucial. While team orders were a topic of discussion in 2024, striking the right balance between supporting individual ambitions and maximizing team points will be a key management task.
Can Norris finally secure his maiden Drivers' Championship? The pressure on the young Briton will be higher than ever, with his very own teammate poised to deliver it from the outset by aiming for more consistent podium finishes and race wins.
The 2025 season will be a true test of McLaren's remaining power, proving whether their 2024 triumph was a one-off success or the start of a new era of dominance. The F1 world will be watching closely to see if the papaya team can deliver another stellar performance.
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