McLaren celebrates a special milestone this weekend in the long history of the team: the British racing team is competing in its thousandth Grand Prix during the Monaco GP. The papayas are showcasing a special livery in honor of this achievement. Monaco was also the setting for McLaren team’s very first F1 race in 1966. With the modified color scheme, they mainly want to convey that the team never gives up.
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The special livery is not only visible this weekend in Monaco but will also remain for the Spanish Grand Prix a week later. Additionally, McLaren is going all out in Monaco with a ceremonial moment on the starting grid. The historic M2B, the team’s first F1 car, will be placed next to the current MCL40: the car with which the thousandth Grand Prix is being raced. Present at this event are CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as former McLaren Grand Prix winners and F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
Zak Brown emphasized the significance of the moment and the team’s long history: “The start of our thousandth Grand Prix in Monaco offers a perfect moment to honor our rich history in motorsport. We are only the second team to reach this incredible milestone, so what better time to reflect on our past, present, and future?” Only Ferrari had previously reached a thousand Grands Prix, during the 2020 Tuscan GP. The Italian team also raced with a special livery at that time. In Maranello, the count now stands at 1127 races.
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‘McLaren never gives up’
“Over the years, this team has always shown resilience and determination, both in successful periods and in difficult times,” Brown continued. “McLaren never gives up, and this livery and the moment on Thursday are a special way to celebrate how far we have come. We look forward to racing and honoring what we have achieved, from our first race here in Monaco in 1966 to now. Here’s to another thousand!”
The 1966 Monaco GP marked the first appearance of founder Bruce McLaren under his own racing banner. With the M2B as his weapon, he qualified in tenth place, but retired from the race due to an oil leak. Since then, McLaren has grown into one of the most successful teams in the sport, with 203 Grand Prix wins, 561 podiums, 177 pole positions, 13 drivers’ championships, and 10 constructors’ titles.
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