For McLaren, the upcoming Monaco GP marks the thousandth F1 race. Sixty years ago, founder Bruce McLaren first competed in the world championship under his own racing flag. In the run-up to ‘the crown jewel’, CEO Zak Brown pays tribute to the legendary New Zealander in an open letter and emphasizes the ambitions of the current racing team.
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“As we line up for our thousandth Grand Prix this weekend, I want to take a moment to reflect on our history in motorsport,” said Zak Brown. McLaren is only the second team to reach this special milestone; Ferrari already broke this magical barrier in 2020. “In doing so, I’m not just looking at Formula 1, but also at other racing classes such as IndyCar and WEC. There is no better time to reflect on our history, our iconic drivers, our successes, and the way McLaren has contributed to the growth of the sport over the years.”
“Ultimately, it’s always about the people, starting with none other than our founder Bruce McLaren,” Brown continued. “He was a driver, engineer, designer, and entrepreneur – the ultimate racer whose legacy lives on within the team. We constantly strive to embody his racing spirit and innovative mindset. I am immensely proud of our people and our team culture, and of the way we celebrate successes together and support each other in more difficult times. And I’m sure Bruce would be too.”
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‘Demand for Formula 1 is unprecedented’
Brown praised the F1 team’s performance, as well as the current state of the premier class. “To start with Formula 1: what an exciting time this is for the sport. That we have won two constructors’ titles in recent years and that our two drivers competed for the world championship until the very last race of the 2025 season, is truly incredible. And as for the sport itself: what enormous growth we have experienced in recent years. The demand for Formula 1 has never been so great; there is more demand for Grands Prix than we can organize per year. We have eleven strong teams, the competition is spectacular, and we continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation.”
As a company, McLaren aims to repeat a unique achievement: winning motorsport’s Triple Crown, possibly even in a single season. From 2027, the team will return to the hypercar class in the WEC and will once again compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “This unique challenge offers fantastic opportunities for our team, our commercial partners, and of course our fans,” a proud Brown explained. “We want to be the most exciting racing team in the world. We want to win the Triple Crown in this papaya era.”
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