Editing McLaren (section)

==Racing history: Formula One==
===Early days (1966–1967)===

[[File:McLaren logo (original).png|thumb|right|upright=0.5|McLaren's original logo was designed by [[Michael Turner (illustrator)|Michael Turner]] and featured a [[Kiwi (bird)|kiwi]] bird, a New Zealand icon.<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|2009|page=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/new-zealand/|title=The World Factbook&nbsp;– New Zealand|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=23 June 2010}}</ref>]]
[[File:McLaren M2B Donington.jpg|thumb|The [[McLaren M2B]], the team's first Formula One car]]
[[File:McLarenBruce19690801.jpg|thumb|The [[McLaren M7A]] of 1968 gave McLaren their first [[Formula One]] wins. It is driven here by [[Bruce McLaren]] at the [[Nürburgring]] in 1969.]]

Bruce McLaren made the team's Grand Prix debut at the [[1966 Monaco Grand Prix|1966 Monaco race]] (of the current Formula One teams, only [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] is older<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/teams.html |title=Formula One Teams |publisher=Formula One |access-date=10 April 2010}}</ref>{{efn|Current team [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]] first competed in {{F1|1954}}–{{F1|1955}}, but did not race again until {{F1|2010}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8420969.stm |title=Mercedes Grand Prix team profile |work=BBC Sport  |date=5 March 2010 |access-date=12 April 2010}}</ref>}}).<ref name="mclarenhistory"/> His race ended after nine laps due to a terminal oil leak.<ref name="McLaren Trust"/> The {{F1|1966}} car was the [[McLaren M2B|M2B]] designed by [[Robin Herd]], but the programme was hampered by a poor choice of engines: a 3.0-litre version of [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'s [[Indianapolis 500]] engine and a [[Scuderia Serenissima|Serenissima]] [[V8 engine|V8]] were used, the latter scoring the team's first point in [[1966 British Grand Prix|Britain]], but both were underpowered and unreliable.<ref name="henry18"/><ref name="McLaren Trust">{{cite web|url=http://www.bruce-mclaren.com/the-cars/f1.html|title=Formula One&nbsp;– hard and unforgiving|work=Bruce McLaren Trust|access-date=29 March 2010|archive-date=24 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524041435/http://bruce-mclaren.com/the-cars/f1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> For {{F1|1967}} Bruce decided to use a [[British Racing Motors]] (BRM) [[V12 engine]], but due to delays with the engine, was forced initially to use a modified [[Formula Two]] car called the [[McLaren M4B|M4B]] powered by a 2.1-litre BRM V8, later building a similar but slightly larger car called the [[McLaren M5A|M5A]] for the V12.<ref name="McLaren Trust"/> Neither car brought great success, the best result being a fourth at [[1964 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]].

===Ford-Cosworth DFV engines (1968–1982)===
For {{F1|1968}}, after driving McLaren's sole entry for the previous two years, Bruce was joined by 1967 champion and fellow New Zealander [[Denny Hulme]], who was already racing for McLaren in [[Can-Am]].<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=22}}</ref><ref name="clockworkorange"/> That year's new [[McLaren M7A|M7A]] car, Herd's final design for the team, was powered by [[Cosworth]]'s new and soon to be ubiquitous [[Cosworth DFV|DFV]] engine<ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|page=54}}</ref><ref name="tremaynehughes223-228"/> (the DFV would go on to be used by McLaren until 1983) and with it a major upturn in form proceeded. Bruce won the [[Race of Champions (Brands Hatch)|Race of Champions]] at the [[Brands Hatch]] circuit and Hulme won the [[1968 BRDC International Trophy|International Trophy]] at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], both non-championship races,<ref>{{cite journal |title=M7A: McLaren's lucky number |journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |date=August 2008|volume=84 |issue=8 |publisher=Stratfield}}</ref> before Bruce took the team's first championship win at the [[1968 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/teams/McLaren.html |title=McLaren Team Profile |work=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One]] |access-date=24 March 2010 |archive-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315091232/http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/teams/McLaren.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hulme also won the [[1968 Italian Grand Prix|Italian]] and [[1968 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian]] Grands Prix later in the year, helping the team to second in the Constructors' Championship. Using an updated 'C' version on the M7,<ref name="henry24"/> a further three podium finishes followed for Bruce in {{F1|1969}}, but the team's fifth win had to wait until the last race of the 1969 championship when Hulme won the [[1969 Mexican Grand Prix|Mexican Grand Prix]]. That year, McLaren experimented with [[four-wheel drive]] in the [[McLaren M9A|M9A]], but the car had only a single outing driven by [[Derek Bell (auto racer)|Derek Bell]] at the [[1969 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]]; Bruce described driving it as like "trying to write your signature with somebody jogging your elbow".<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=23–24}}</ref>

The year {{F1|1970}} started with a second-place each for Hulme and Bruce in the first two Grands Prix, but in June, Bruce was killed in a crash at [[Goodwood Circuit|Goodwood]] while testing the new M8D Can-Am car.<ref name="henry24">{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=24}}</ref> After his death, [[Teddy Mayer]] took over effective control of the team;<ref name="mayerobituary"/> Hulme continued with [[Dan Gurney]] and [[Peter Gethin]] partnering him. Gurney won the first two Can-Am events at Mosport and St. Jovite and placed ninth in the third, but left the team mid-season, and Gethin took over from there. While {{F1|1971}} began promisingly when Hulme led the opening round in [[1970 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]] before retiring with broken suspension,<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=25}}</ref> ultimately Hulme, Gethin (who left for BRM mid-season,<ref name="henry26">{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=26}}</ref>) and [[Jackie Oliver]] again failed to score a win. The 1972 season saw improvements though: Hulme won the team's first Grand Prix for {{frac|2|1|2}} years in [[1972 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]] and he and [[Peter Revson]] scored ten other podiums, the team finishing third in the Constructors' Championship. McLaren gave [[Jody Scheckter]] his Formula One debut at the [[1972 United States Grand Prix|final race]] at [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]].<ref name="henry26"/> All McLaren drivers used the Ford-Cosworth engines, except for [[Andrea de Adamich]] and [[Nanni Galli]] who used engines from [[Alfa Romeo in Formula One|Alfa Romeo]] in 1970.

[[File:Emerson Fittipaldi McLaren M23 1974 Britain.jpg|thumb|right|[[Emerson Fittipaldi]] won the 1974 Drivers' Championship with McLaren.]]

The [[McLaren M23]], designed by Gordon Coppuck, was the team's new car for the {{F1|1973}} season.<ref name="henry26"/> Sharing parts of the design of both McLaren's Formula One [[McLaren M19A|M19]] and Indianapolis M16 cars (itself inspired by [[Team Lotus|Lotus]]'s [[Lotus 72|72]]),<ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|page=174}}</ref> it was a mainstay for four years.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|loc=Appendix 1}}</ref> Hulme won with it in [[1973 Swedish Grand Prix|Sweden]] and Revson took the only Grand Prix wins of his career in [[1973 British Grand Prix|Britain]] and [[1973 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]]. In {{F1|1974}}, [[Emerson Fittipaldi]], world champion with Lotus two years earlier, joined McLaren.<ref name="fittipaldi">{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Emerson_Fittipaldi.html|first=Gerald|last=Donaldson|title=Emerson Fittipaldi |work=Formula1.com|publisher=[[Formula One]]|access-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> Hulme, in his final Formula One campaign,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Denny_Hulme.html |first=Gerald |last=Donaldson |title=Denny Hulme |work=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One]] |access-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> won the [[1974 Argentine Grand Prix|Argentinian]] season-opener; Fittipaldi, with wins in [[1974 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]], [[1974 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] and [[1974 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], took the Drivers' Championship. It was a close fight for Fittipaldi, who secured the title with a fourth at the season-ending [[1974 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]], putting him three points ahead of Ferrari's [[Clay Regazzoni]]. With Hulme and multiple motorcycle world champion [[Mike Hailwood]], he also sealed McLaren's first Constructors' Championship. The year {{F1|1975}} was less successful for the team: Fittipaldi was second in the championship behind [[Niki Lauda]]. Hulme's replacement [[Jochen Mass]] took his sole GP win in [[1974 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]].

At the end of 1975, Fittipaldi left to join his brother's [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Fittipaldi/Copersucar]] team.<ref name="fittipaldi"/> With the top drivers already signed to other teams, Mayer turned to [[James Hunt]], a driver on whom biographer Gerald Donaldson reflected as having "a dubious reputation".<ref>{{cite book|title=James Hunt: The Biography|first=Gerald|last=Donaldson|year=1995|publisher=CollinsWillow|page=158 |isbn=0-00-218493-1}}</ref> In {{F1|1976}}, Lauda was again strong in his Ferrari; at midseason, he led the championship with 56 points while Hunt had only 26 despite wins in [[1976 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]] (a race from which he was initially disqualified<ref name="henry32">{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=32}}</ref>) and [[1976 French Grand Prix|France]]. At the [[1976 German Grand Prix|German Grand Prix]], though, Lauda crashed heavily, was nearly killed, and missed the next two races.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Niki_Lauda.html|first=Gerald |last=Donaldson|title=Niki Lauda|work=Formula1.com|publisher=[[Formula One]]|access-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> Hunt capitalised by winning four more Grands Prix giving him a three-point deficit going into the finale in [[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]]. Here it rained torrentially, Lauda retired because of safety concerns, and Hunt sealed the Drivers' Championship by finishing third.<ref name="henry32"/> McLaren, though, lost the Constructors' Championship to Ferrari.

In {{F1|1977}}, the M23 was gradually replaced with the [[McLaren M26|M26]], the M23's final works outing being [[Gilles Villeneuve]]'s Formula One debut with the team in a one-off appearance at the [[1977 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Villeneuve: The Life of the Legendary Racing Driver|first=Gerald|last=Donaldson|page=80|edition=1st paperback|year=2003|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|isbn=0-7535-0747-1}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=34}}</ref> Hunt won on three occasions that year, but the Lauda and Ferrari combination proved too strong, Hunt and McLaren managing just fifth and third in the respective championships. From there, results continued to worsen. Lotus and [[Mario Andretti]] took the {{F1|1978}} titles with their [[Lotus 78|78]] and [[Lotus 79|79]] [[ground effect in cars|ground-effect]] cars<ref>{{cite book|title=The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Formula One|editor-first=Bruce|editor-last=Jones|year=1997|publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]]|page=43|isbn=0-340-70783-6}}</ref> and neither Hunt nor Mass's replacement [[Patrick Tambay]] were able to seriously challenge with the nonground-effect M26.<ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|pages=211–213}}</ref> Hunt was dropped at the end of 1978 in favour of Lotus's [[Ronnie Peterson]], but when Peterson was killed by a crash at the [[1978 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]], [[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]] was signed, instead.<ref name="henry33">{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=33}}</ref> No improvement occurred in {{F1|1979}}; Coppuck's [[McLaren M28|M28]] design was described by Mayer as "ghastly, a disaster" and "quite diabolical" and the [[McLaren M29|M29]] did little to change the situation.<ref name="henry33"/> Tambay scored no points and Watson only 15 to place the team eighth at the end of the year.

[[File:Lauda McLaren MP4-2 1984 Dallas F1.jpg|thumb|Five years after his first retirement, Lauda won his third title driving a [[McLaren MP4/2]].|left]]
[[File:ProstAlain McLarenMP4-2B 1985.jpg|thumb|right|[[Alain Prost]], pictured here at the [[1985 German Grand Prix]], won three Drivers' Championships with McLaren.]]
[[File:Ayrton Senna 1988 Canada.jpg|thumb|right|Equipped with [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]] engines and the driving strength of Prost and [[Ayrton Senna]] for {{F1|1988}}, McLaren dominated the season, winning all but one race. Senna won his first world championship after a season-long battle with Prost.]]

The 1980s started much as the 1970s had ended: [[Alain Prost]] took over from Tambay<ref name="prost">{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/Alain_Prost.html |first=Gerald |last=Donaldson |title=Alain Prost |work=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One]] |access-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> but Watson and he rarely scored points. Under increasing pressure since the previous year from principal sponsor [[Altria Group|Philip Morris]] and their executive [[John Hogan (motorsport executive)|John Hogan]], Mayer was coerced into merging McLaren with [[Ron Dennis]]'s Project Four Formula Two team, also sponsored by Philip Morris.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Henry |author-link=Alan Henry | title = Motor Racing: Jaguar land Crocodile's brother|work=The Guardian|location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/feb/25/motorracing.formulaone2003|page = 31| date=  25 February 2003| access-date =9 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=37}}</ref> Dennis had designer [[John Barnard]] who, inspired by the [[carbon-fibre]] rear wings of the [[BMW M1]] race cars that Project Four was preparing, had ideas for an innovative Formula One chassis constructed from carbon-fibre instead of conventional [[aluminium alloy]].<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=37–40}}</ref> On their own, they lacked the money to build it, but with investment that came with the merger it became the [[McLaren MP4/1|McLaren MP4]] (later called MP4/1) of {{F1|1981}}, driven by Watson and [[Andrea de Cesaris]].<ref name="motorsportdennis">{{cite journal|journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |first=Rob|last=Widdows|title=Carbon natural|date=May 2007|volume=83|issue=5|publisher=Stratfield}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=41}}</ref> In the MP4, Watson won the [[1981 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]] and had three other podium finishes. Soon after the merger, McLaren moved from Colnbrook to a new base in Woking and Dennis and Mayer initially shared the managing directorship of the company; by 1982, Mayer had departed and Tyler Alexander's and his shareholdings had been bought by the new owners.<ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|pages=42–43}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|pages=48–49}}</ref>

===TAG-Porsche and Honda engines (1983–1992)===
In the early 1980s, teams like [[Renault F1|Renault]], Ferrari and [[Brabham]] were using 1.5-litre [[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] engines in favour of the 3.0-litre [[naturally aspirated engine]]s that had been standard since 1966.<ref name="tremaynehughes223-228">{{harvnb|Tremayne|Hughes|1998|pages=223–228}}</ref> Having seen in 1982 the need for a turbo engine of their own, Dennis had convinced [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] backer [[Techniques d'Avant Garde]] (TAG) to fund [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]]-built, TAG-branded turbo engines made to Barnard's specifications; TAG's founder [[Mansour Ojjeh]] would later become a McLaren shareholder. In the meantime, they continued with Cosworth engines as old rival Lauda came out of retirement in 1982 to drive alongside Watson in that year's 1B development of the MP4.<ref name="motorsportdennis"/><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=42–44}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = John| last = Blundsden| title = Dennis confronts the difficulties of his own success|work=[[The Times]] |location=UK| date=  7 July 1988}}</ref> They each won two races, Watson notably from 17th place on the grid in [[1982 Detroit Grand Prix|Detroit]],<ref name="motorsportdennis"/> and at one stage of the season McLaren were second in the constructors' championship. As part of a dispute with [[Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile|FISA]], they boycotted the [[1982 San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino Grand Prix]].<ref>{{harvnb|Nye|1988|page=235}}</ref> Although {{F1|1983}} was not so fruitful, Watson did win again in the United States, this time from 22nd on the grid at [[1983 United States Grand Prix West|Long Beach]].<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=45}}</ref>

Having been fired by Renault, Prost returned to McLaren once again for {{F1|1984}}.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=46}}</ref> Now using the TAG engines, the team dominated, scoring 12 wins and {{frac|2|1|2}} times as many constructors' points as nearest rival Ferrari. In the Drivers' Championship, Lauda prevailed over Prost by half a point, the narrowest margin ever.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=53}}</ref> The McLaren-TAGs were again strong in {{F1|1985}}; a third Constructors' Championship came their way while this time Prost won the Drivers' Championship. In {{F1|1986}}, the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] team were resurgent with their [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]] engine and drivers [[Nigel Mansell]] and [[Nelson Piquet]], while at McLaren, Lauda's replacement, 1982 champion [[Keke Rosberg]] could not gel with the car. Williams took the Constructors' Championship, but for Prost, wins in [[1986 San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino]], [[1986 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]], and [[1986 Austrian Grand Prix|Austria]] combined with the fact that the Williams drivers were taking points from each other meant that he retained a chance going into the last race, the [[1986 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]]. There, a puncture for Mansell and a precautionary pit stop for Piquet gave Prost the race win and his second title, making him the first driver to win back-to-back championships since [[Jack Brabham]] in {{F1|1959}} and 1960.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=57–63}}</ref> In {{F1|1987}} Barnard departed for Ferrari to be replaced by [[Steve Nichols]] (who himself joined Ferrari in 1989).<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=63}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=78}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Tremayne|Hughes|1998|pages=198–199}}</ref> In the hands of Prost and [[Stefan Johansson]], though, Nichols's [[McLaren MP4/3|MP4/3]] and the TAG engine could not match the Williams-Honda.

For {{F1|1988}}, Honda switched their supply to McLaren and, encouraged by Prost, Dennis signed [[Ayrton Senna]] to drive.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]|first=Nigel|last=Roebuck|author-link=Nigel Roebuck|title=The best of enemies|date=October 2008|volume=84|issue=10|publisher=Stratfield}}</ref> Despite regulations reducing the boost pressure and fuel capacity (and therefore, power) of the turbo cars, Honda persisted with a turbocharged engine.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=65}}</ref> In the [[McLaren MP4/4|MP4/4]], Senna and Prost engaged in a season-long battle, winning 15 of the 16 races (at the other race at [[1988 Italian Grand Prix|Monza]], Senna had been leading comfortably, but collided with back-marker [[Jean-Louis Schlesser]]<ref>{{harvnb|Rubython|2006|page=170}}</ref>). At the [[1988 Portuguese Grand Prix|Portuguese Grand Prix]], their relationship soured when Senna squeezed Prost against the pit wall; Prost won, but afterwards said, "It was dangerous. If he wants the world championship that badly he can have it."<ref>{{harvnb|Rubython|2006|page=171}}</ref> Prost scored more points that year, but because only the best 11 results counted, Senna took the title at the penultimate race in [[1988 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1988/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007215552/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1988/|archive-date=7 October 2014|title=1988 FIA Formula One World Championship |work=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One]]|access-date=2 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=70–71}}</ref>

The next year, with turbos banned, Honda supplied a new 3.5-L naturally aspirated [[V10 engine]]<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=71}}</ref> and McLaren again won both titles with the [[McLaren MP4/5|MP4/5]]. Their drivers' relationship continued to deteriorate, though, especially when, at the [[1989 San Marino Grand Prix|San Marino Grand Prix]], Prost felt that Senna had reneged on an agreement not to pass each other at the first corner.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=73}}</ref> Believing that Honda and Dennis were favouring Senna, Prost announced mid-season that he would leave to drive at Ferrari the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prostfan.com/senna2.htm|title=Ayrton Senna by Alain Prost |publisher=prostfan.com |access-date=4 April 2010}}</ref> For the second year in succession, the Drivers' Championship was decided at the [[1989 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grand Prix]], this time in Prost's favour after Senna and he collided (Senna initially recovered and won the race, but was later disqualified).<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=76–77}}</ref>

[[File:AyrtonSennaAtHockheimGP1993.jpg|thumb|By {{F1|1993}}, Honda had withdrawn from F1 and the team used underpowered [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine]]s to power the [[McLaren MP4/8|MP4/8]]. Although Ayrton Senna (pictured at the [[1993 German Grand Prix|German GP]]) won five races, McLaren was not a match for the dominant [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] team. After the [[1993 Australian Grand Prix]], the team failed to win a race until {{F1|1997}}.|left]]
[[File:Mika Hakkinen 1999 Canada.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mika Häkkinen]] won the {{F1|1998}} and {{F1|1999}} Drivers' Championships with McLaren. He is shown here at the [[1999 Canadian Grand Prix]], an event which he won.]]

With former McLaren men Nichols and Prost (Barnard had moved to the [[Benetton Formula|Benetton]] team), Ferrari pushed the British team more closely in {{F1|1990}}. McLaren, in turn, brought in Ferrari's [[Gerhard Berger]], but like the two seasons before, the Drivers' Championship was led by Prost and Senna and settled at [[1990 Japanese Grand Prix|the penultimate race in Japan]]. Here, Senna collided with Prost at the first corner, forcing both to retire, but this time Senna escaped punishment and took the title;<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=80}}</ref> McLaren also won the Constructors' Championship. The {{F1|1991}} year was another for McLaren and Senna, with the ascendant Renault-powered Williams team their closest challengers. By {{F1|1992}}, Williams, with their advanced [[Williams FW14B|FW14B]] car,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/cars_guide/4272031.stm|title=The changing face of F1|work=BBC Sport|date=28 February 2005|access-date=4 April 2010}}</ref> had overtaken McLaren, breaking their four-year run as champions, despite the latter winning five races that year.

===Ford, Lamborghini and Peugeot engines (1993–1994)===
As Honda withdrew from the sport at end of 1992,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honda pulls out of Formula 1 racing |date= 11 September 1992 |work= UPI |url= https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/09/11/Honda-pulls-out-of-Formula-1-racing/6443716184000/ |access-date= 6 October 2023 }}</ref> McLaren sought a new engine supplier. A deal to secure Renault engines fell through, subsequently McLaren switched to customer [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] engines for the {{F1|1993}} season.<ref name="Henry 1999 pages=87–88">{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=87–88}}</ref> Senna—who initially agreed only to a race-by-race contract before later signing for the whole year<ref>{{harvnb |Rubython|2006|p=282}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb |Rubython|2006|pp=288–289}}</ref>—won five races, including a record-breaking sixth victory at [[1993 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] and a win at the [[1993 European Grand Prix|European Grand Prix]], where he went from fifth to first on the opening lap.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=89–91}}</ref> His teammate, [[1991 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1991]] [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] champion [[Michael Andretti]], fared much worse; he scored only seven points, and was replaced by test driver [[Mika Häkkinen]] for the final three rounds of the season.<ref>{{harvnb|Rubython|2006|p=290}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/1246610.stm|title=Andretti in Indy 500 return |work=BBC Sport|date=27 March 2001|access-date=4 April 2010}}</ref> Williams ultimately won both titles and Senna—who had flirted with moving there for 1993—signed with them for the {{F1|1994}} season.<ref name="Henry 1999 pages=87–88"/><ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=95}}</ref> During the 1993 season McLaren took part in a seven part [[BBC Television]] documentary called ''[[A Season With McLaren]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4f4ba3afda47b|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150131215440/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4f4ba3afda47b|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2015 |title=The TEAM&nbsp;– A SEASON WITH MCLAREN|work=British Film Institute Film & TV Database|access-date=24 March 2010}}</ref>

McLaren tested a [[Lamborghini]] V12 engine ahead of the {{F1|1994}} season, as part of a potential deal with the then-Lamborghini owner [[Chrysler]], before eventually deciding to use [[Peugeot]] engines. With Peugeot power, the [[McLaren MP4/9|MP4/9]] was driven by Häkkinen and [[Martin Brundle]], despite achieving eight podiums over the season no wins were achieved. Peugeot was dropped after a single year due to multiple engine failures/unreliability which cost McLaren potential race victories and they switched to a [[Mercedes-Benz]]-branded, [[Ilmor]]-designed engine.<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|pages=95–101}}</ref>

===Mercedes partnership (1995–2014)===
====1995–2009: Works Mercedes partnership====
For 1995 season onwards, McLaren ended their engine deal with [[Peugeot Sport]] and started an engine full-works partnership with [[Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines]] for the first time, after the German manufacturer spent one year in partnership with the [[Sauber]] team.<ref>{{cite web|title=McLaren and Peugeot part ways|url=https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-and-peugeot-part-ways/1654184/|work=motorsport.com|date=25 October 1994|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-date=24 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224153201/https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-and-peugeot-part-ways/1654184/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The partnership included free engines from Mercedes-Benz that built and assembled by [[Ilmor Engineering]], Mercedes-Benz official team vehicles, financial support, also earned full-factory support from [[Daimler AG]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] and also Mercedes-Benz and Ilmor staff would work with the team at their Woking base.

McLaren's Formula One car for the {{F1|1995}} season, the [[McLaren MP4/10|MP4/10]], was not a front-runner and Brundle's replacement, former champion [[Nigel Mansell]], was unable to fit into the car at first and departed after just two races, with [[Mark Blundell]] taking his place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mansell-faces-retirement-after-mclaren-exit-1620932.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mansell-faces-retirement-after-mclaren-exit-1620932.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mansell faces retirement after McLaren exit|first=Derick|last=Allsop|work=The Independent|location=UK|date=24 May 1995|access-date=24 March 2010}}</ref>

While Williams dominated in {{F1|1996}}, McLaren, now with [[David Coulthard]] alongside Häkkinen,<ref>{{harvnb|Henry|1999|page=104}}</ref> went a third successive season without a win. In {{F1|1997}}, however, Coulthard broke this run by winning the season-opening [[1997 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]]; Häkkinen and he would each win another race before the end of the season, and highly rated designer [[Adrian Newey]] joined the team from Williams in August that year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1361946.stm|title=Newey's magic touch |work=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2001|access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> Despite the car's improved pace, unreliability proved costly throughout the season, with retirements at the [[1997 British Grand Prix|British]] and [[1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix|Luxembourg]] Grands Prix occurring whilst Häkkinen was in the lead. It was also at the start of this season that saw long time sponsor, Marlboro, shift its support to long time rival Ferrari. For the first time since the 1974 season, McLaren would have a new identity, shifting to fellow tobacco sponsor West. This saw the traditional red and white replaced with silver, grey, white and red. McLaren would retain this colour scheme (or very similar) for twenty years until 2017.

With Newey able to take advantage of new technical regulations for {{F1|1998}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00289.html|title=The 1998 Formula 1 cars|first=Peter|last=Wright|date=8 March 1998|publisher=grandprix.com|access-date=13 April 2010|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630031535/http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00289.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and with Williams losing their works Renault engines following Renault's temporary withdrawal from the sport, McLaren were once again able to challenge for the championship. Häkkinen and Coulthard won five of the first six races despite the banning of the team's [[McLaren MP4/12|"brake steer"]] system, which allowed the rear brakes to be operated individually to reduce [[understeer]], after a protest by Ferrari at the second race in [[1998 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Bishop|title=Pedal to Metal|work=The Best of F1 Racing 1996–2006|page=66}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing-no-brake-in-mclaren-routine-1153193.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing-no-brake-in-mclaren-routine-1153193.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Motor Racing: No brake in McLaren routine|first=David|last=Tremayne|author-link=David Tremayne|work=The Independent|location=UK|date=29 March 1998|access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Tremayne|Hughes|1998|page=232}}</ref> Schumacher and Ferrari provided the greatest competition, the former levelled on points with Häkkinen with two races to go, but wins for Häkkinen at the [[1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix|Luxembourg]] and [[1998 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese]] Grands Prix gave both him the Drivers' Championship and McLaren the Constructors' Championship. Häkkinen won his second Drivers' Championship the [[1999 Formula One World Championship|following season]], but due to a combination of driver errors and mechanical failures, the team lost the constructors' title to Ferrari.

[[File:Mclaren racing usgp 2004.jpg|thumb|right|Mechanics push [[Kimi Räikkönen]]'s MP4-19 into the garage during qualifying for the [[United States Grand Prix|US Grand Prix]] at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]] in 2004.]]

In {{F1|2000}} McLaren won seven races in a close fight with Ferrari, but ultimately Ferrari and Schumacher prevailed in both competitions. This marked the start of a decline in form as Ferrari cemented their dominance of Formula One and also [[beryllium]] engine material banned in [[Formula One]] that affected Mercedes engine performance. In {{F1|2001}}, Häkkinen was outscored by Coulthard for the first time since 1997 and retired (ending Formula One's longest ever driver partnership), his place taken by [[Kimi Räikkönen]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2152164.stm|title=Hakkinen announces retirement|work=BBC Sport|date=26 July 2002|access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> then in {{F1|2002}}, Coulthard took their solitary win at [[2002 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] while Ferrari repeated McLaren's 1988 feat of 15 wins in a season.

The year {{F1|2003}} started promisingly, with one win each for Coulthard and Räikkönen at the first two Grands Prix. However, they were hampered when the [[McLaren MP4-18|MP4-18]] car designed for that year suffered crash test and reliability problems, forcing them to continue using a 'D' development of the year-old [[McLaren MP4-17|MP4-17]] for longer than they had initially planned.<ref name="boldnewdawn">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3342535.stm|title=Bold new dawn for McLaren|first=Andrew|last=Benson|work=BBC Sport|date=23 December 2003|access-date=6 April 2010}}</ref> Despite this, Räikkönen scored points consistently and challenged for the championship up to the final race, eventually losing by two points. The team began {{F1|2004}} with the [[McLaren MP4-19|MP4-19]], which technical director Adrian Newey described as "a debugged version of [the MP4-18]".<ref name="boldnewdawn"/> It was not a success, though, and was replaced mid-season by the MP4-19B. With this, Räikkönen scored the team's and his only win of the year at the [[2004 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]], as McLaren finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, their worst ranking since 1983.

Coulthard left for [[Red Bull Racing]] in {{F1|2005}} to be replaced by former CART champion [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] for what was McLaren's most successful season in several years as he and Räikkönen won ten races. However, both the team not being able to work out why the car could not heat its tyres properly in the early stages of the season and the overall unreliability of the [[McLaren MP4-20|MP4-20]] cost several race victories when Räikkönen had been leading or in contention to win and also costing him grid positions in some qualifying sessions, which allowed Renault and their driver [[Fernando Alonso]] to capitalise and win both titles.

[[File:Lap4 Canada2005 Raikkonen.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kimi Räikkönen]] challenged for the Drivers' Championship in {{F1|2005}}.]]

In {{F1|2006}}, the superior reliability and speed of the Ferraris and Renaults prevented the team from gaining any victories for the first time in a decade. Montoya parted company acrimoniously with the team to race in [[NASCAR]] after the [[2006 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]], where he crashed into Räikkönen at the start; test driver [[Pedro de la Rosa]] deputised for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5168206.stm|title=McLaren agree to release Montoya|date=11 July 2006|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> The team also lost Räikkönen to Ferrari at the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/5332710.stm|title=Ferrari reveal Raikkonen signing|date=10 September 2006|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 March 2010}}</ref>

[[Steve Matchett]] argued that the poor reliability of McLaren in 2006 and recent previous years was due to a lack of team continuity and stability.<ref name="f1june2007">{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Matchett|author-link=Steve Matchett|title=No-catch 22|work=[[F1 Racing]]|publisher=[[Haymarket Publishing]]|pages=58–63|date=June 2007}}</ref> His cited examples of instability are logistical challenges related to the move to the [[McLaren Technology Centre]], Adrian Newey's aborted move to [[Jaguar Racing|Jaguar]] and later move to Red Bull, the subsequent move of Newey's deputy to Red Bull, and personnel changes at Ilmor.<ref name="f1june2007"/>

[[File:Fernando Alonso 2007 2.jpg|thumb|[[Fernando Alonso]] had a difficult and controversial year with McLaren in {{F1|2007}}.|left]]

After scoring no victories in 2006, the team returned to competitive status in {{F1|2007}}. That year saw Fernando Alonso race alongside Formula One debutant and long-time McLaren protégé [[Lewis Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6179704.stm|title=Hamilton gets 2007 McLaren drive|publisher=BBC|date=24 November 2006|access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Moffitt|first=Alastair|date=20 December 2005|title=Alonso to make shock switch from Renault to McLaren|work=The Independent|location=UK|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/alonso-to-make-shock-switch-from-renault-to-mclaren-520190.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/alonso-to-make-shock-switch-from-renault-to-mclaren-520190.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=12 April 2007}}</ref>  The pair scored four wins each and led the Drivers' Championship for much of the year, but tensions arose within the team, BBC Sport claimed that Alonso was unable to cope with Hamilton's competitiveness.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6998040.stm|title=How Hamilton drove Alonso to the edge|date=16 September 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 April 2010}}</ref> At the [[2007 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian Grand Prix]], Alonso was judged to have deliberately impeded his teammate during qualifying, so the team were not allowed to score Constructors' points at the event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6929333.stm|publisher=BBC|title=Hungarian Grand Prix 2007|date=5 August 2007|access-date=8 April 2010}}</ref> An internal agreement within the McLaren team stated that drivers would alternatively have an extra lap for qualifying, however, Lewis Hamilton refused to accept for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Subsequently, the McLaren team was investigated by the [[FIA]] for having proprietary technical blueprints of Ferrari's car&nbsp;– the [[2007 Formula One espionage controversy|so-called "Spygate" controversy]]. At the first hearing, McLaren management consistently denied all knowledge, blaming a single "rogue engineer". However, in the final hearing, McLaren was found guilty and the team was excluded from the Constructors' Championship and fined $100&nbsp;million.<ref name="mclarenban">{{cite news|title=McLaren hit with constructors' ban|work=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6991147.stm|date=13 September 2007|access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> The drivers were allowed to continue without penalty, and while Hamilton led the Drivers' Championship heading into the final race in [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]], Räikkönen in the Ferrari won the race and the Drivers' Championship, a single point ahead of both McLaren drivers. In November, Alonso and McLaren agreed to terminate their contract by mutual consent, [[Heikki Kovalainen]] filling the vacant seat alongside Hamilton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alonso secures exit from McLaren|work=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7074737.stm|first=Andrew|last=Benson |date=2 November 2007|access-date=2 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7182.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160531/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7182.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|title=Kovalainen to partner Hamilton at McLaren for 2008|work=Formula One|date=14 December 2007|access-date=14 December 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Lewis hamilton - 2008 Melb GP.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lewis Hamilton]] won {{F1|2008}}'s season-opening race in [[2008 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] and went on to win the title.]]

In {{F1|2008}}, a close fight ensued between Hamilton and the Ferraris of [[Felipe Massa]] and Räikkönen; Hamilton won five times and despite also crossing the finish line first at the [[2008 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]], he was deemed to have gained an illegal advantage by cutting a chicane during an overtake and was controversially demoted to third.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article4703540.ece|title=World media bemused by Lewis Hamilton decision|first=Ben|last=Smith|date=8 September 2008|work=[[The Times]]|location=UK|access-date=21 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202091153/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article4703540.ece |archive-date=2 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Going into the [[2008 Brazilian Grand Prix|final race in Brazil]], Hamilton had a seven-point lead over Massa. Massa won there, but Hamilton dramatically clinched his first Drivers' Championship by moving into the necessary fifth position at the final corner of the final lap of the race. Despite winning his first Grand Prix in [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]], Kovalainen finished the season only seventh in the overall standings, allowing Ferrari to take the constructors' title.

Before the start of the {{F1|2009}} season, Dennis retired as team principal, handing responsibility to [[Martin Whitmarsh]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ron Dennis leaves McLaren in safe hands|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article5531559.ece|date=16 January 2009|work=[[The Times]]|location=UK|first=Kevin|last=Eason|access-date=11 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604150551/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article5531559.ece |archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> but the year started badly: the [[McLaren MP4-24|MP4-24]] car was off the pace and the team was given a three-race suspended ban for misleading stewards at the [[2009 Australian Grand Prix|Australian]] and [[2009 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysian]] Grands Prix.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8024661.stm|title=McLaren given suspended race ban|work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=24 March 2010}}</ref> Despite these early problems, a late revival had Hamilton win at the [[2009 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian]] and [[2009 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]] Grands Prix.

====2010–2014: Customer Mercedes engines====
[[File:Sergio Perez 2013 Malaysia FP2.jpg|thumb|right|210px|[[Sergio Pérez]] driving for McLaren at the [[2013 Malaysian Grand Prix]]]] [[File:Mclaren MP4-29 Jenson Button 2014 F1 Chinese GP.jpg|thumb|[[Jenson Button]] driving at the [[2014 Chinese Grand Prix]]]]

For the [[2010 Formula One World Championship|2010 season]], McLaren lost its status as the Mercedes works team; Mercedes decided to buy the Brackley-based [[Brawn GP|Brawn]] team that had won the 2009 titles with its customer engines, Whitmarsh having chosen to abandon their exclusive rights to the Mercedes engines to help Brawn run.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=18 September 2021|title=The incredible tale of McLaren and Mercedes' F1 split|url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-incredible-tale-of-mclaren-and-mercedes-f1-split/|access-date=5 November 2021|website=The Race|language=en-GB}}</ref> Mercedes still continued providing engines to McLaren, albeit under a supplier-customer relationship rather than the works partnership as before, while it sold its 40% shares of McLaren over two years.<ref name=":0" /> McLaren signed 2009 champion, [[Jenson Button]], to replace Kovalainen alongside Hamilton in {{F1|2010}}.<ref name="Button">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8363892.stm|title=Button joins Hamilton at McLaren|first=Andrew|last=Benson|work=BBC Sport|date=18 November 2009|access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> Button won twice (in [[2010 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] and [[2010 Chinese Grand Prix|China]]) and Hamilton three times (in [[2010 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]], [[2010 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], and [[2010 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]]), but they and McLaren failed to win their respective championships, that year's [[McLaren MP4-25|MP4-25]] largely outpaced by Red Bull's [[Red Bull RB6|RB6]].

Hamilton and Button remained with the team into {{F1|2011}}, with Hamilton winning three races&nbsp;– [[2011 Chinese Grand Prix|China]], [[2011 German Grand Prix|Germany]], and [[2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]] and Button also winning three races&nbsp;– [[2011 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], [[2011 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]], and [[2011 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]]. Button finished the Drivers' Championship in second place with 270 points behind 2011 Drivers' Champion [[Sebastian Vettel]] of Red Bull Racing, ahead of Hamilton's 227 points. McLaren was second in the Constructors' Championship to Red Bull Racing. Throughout the season, Hamilton was involved in several incidents with other drivers including – most notably – multiple collisions with 2008 title rival Massa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/30/lewis-hamilton-felipe-massa-formula-one|title=Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa: A season of flashpoints|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=30 October 2011}}</ref>

In {{F1|2012}}, McLaren won the first race of the year in [[2012 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] with a dominant victory by Button and a 3rd place from pole for Hamilton, while Hamilton went on to win in [[2012 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], but by the mid-way mark of the season at the team's home race at Silverstone, the McLaren cars managed only eighth place (Hamilton) and 10th place (Button), while the drivers' and Constructors' Championships were being dominated by Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, whose cars occupied the first four places of the {{F1 GP|2012|British}}, this was partially due to pit stop problems and Button's temporary dip in form after not adapting as well as Hamilton to the new Pirelli tyres. The car also suffered reliability problems which cost the team and its drivers numerous potential points, most notably in [[2012 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]] and [[2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]], where Hamilton had been leading from the front in both races <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20193556|title=Abu Dhabi GP: Lewis Hamilton says McLaren not good enough|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 November 2012|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref> and in Italy where the team lost a 1-2 finish when Button's car failed with fuel problems on lap 33.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/09/lewis-hamilton-italian-grand-prix|title=Lewis Hamilton wins Italian Grand Prix as Button and Vettel retire|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=9 September 2012}}</ref>

[[Sergio Pérez]] replaced Hamilton for {{F1|2013}}, after Hamilton decided to leave for [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/19755236|title=Lewis Hamilton to leave McLaren after signing Mercedes contract|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012|first=Andrew|last=Benson}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/19755616|title=Lewis Hamilton: Sergio Perez joins McLaren from Sauber|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> The team's car for the season, the [[McLaren MP4-28|MP4-28]], was launched on 31 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/mclaren/motorsport/story/97781.html|title=McLaren set to launch MP4-28 on January 31|publisher=ESPN F1|date=20 December 2012|access-date=7 January 2013}}</ref> The car struggled to compete with the other top teams and the season had McLaren fail to produce a podium finish for the first time since {{F1|1980}}.<ref name="MP4-29">{{cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25858643|title=BBC Sport&nbsp;– McLaren unveil MP4-29 car for 2014 Formula 1 season|work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref>

[[Kevin Magnussen]] replaced Pérez for {{F1|2014}}, and Ron Dennis, who had remained at arm's length since stepping down from the team principal role, returned as CEO of the operation.<ref name="MP4-29" /> McLaren was the first team to officially launch their 2014 car, the [[McLaren MP4-29|MP4-29]], which was revealed on 24 January 2014.<ref name="MP4-29" /> They had a largely unsuccessful 2014; their best result was in [[2014 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] where&nbsp;– after [[Daniel Ricciardo]]'s disqualification from second place&nbsp;– Magnussen finished second and Button third. Button subsequently finished fourth in [[2014 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], [[2014 British Grand Prix|Britain]], and [[2014 Russian Grand Prix|Russia]]. Their highest grid position was in Britain with Button's third place on the grid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicanef1.com/query.pl?year=2014&country=&circuit=&carno=&driver=&entrant=&car=McLaren&engine=&tyres=&lubricant=&qualpos=&gridpos=&classi=&flappos=&exact=on&rpp=50&sh_year=on&sh_gp=on&sh_driver=on&sh_qualpos=on&action=Search|title=Data Search Results|work=chicanef1.com|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

===Return to Honda engines (2015–2017)===
[[File:McLaren duo 2015 Malaysia Race.jpg|thumb|Alonso (no.14) and Button (no.22) line astern at the [[2015 Malaysian Grand Prix]]|left]] [[File:Fernando Alonso 2016 Malaysia Q1.jpg|thumb|[[Fernando Alonso]] during qualifying for the [[2016 Malaysian Grand Prix]]]]

For {{F1|2015}}, McLaren ended their engine deal with Mercedes which included buying back the 40% stake that Mercedes held in the team and reforging their historical partnership with Honda. The Honda deal not only meant they would supply engines, but that Honda staff would work with the team at their Woking base as well as received full-factory support from Honda including official team vehicles and free engines. The team announced Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button as their race drivers, with Kevin Magnussen demoted to test driver. During pre-season testing at the [[Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya]] in February, Alonso suffered a concussion and, as a result, [[Kevin Magnussen]] replaced him for the season-opening {{F1 GP|2015|Australian}} in March. At that inaugural race of the season, Jenson Button finished 11th, but was lapped twice and finished last of the finishing cars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grandprix.com.au/2015/results/sunday |title=2015 Results - Sunday Tab |work=grandprix.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316141433/http://grandprix.com.au/2015/results/sunday |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> Following considerable unreliability and initial suggestions that the Honda engine was underpowered relative to its competitors, steady performance gains eventually resulted in Button managing to score the team's first (four) points of the season at the sixth round in [[2015 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119151|title=Jenson Button proud of first McLaren 2015 F1 points in Monaco GP|magazine=Autosport|date=25 May 2015}}</ref> By contrast, Alonso scored his first point three races later at the [[2015 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/race/r925racenotes.html|title=Race Notes – Sunday - British GP – F1 2015|work=Grandprix.com|access-date=5 July 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064131/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r925racenotes.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[2015 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian Grand Prix]] saw the team score their best result of the season with Alonso and Button finishing fifth and ninth, respectively.<ref name="Hungaroring">{{cite web|title=Hungarian Grand Prix 2015 - live|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/11763670/Hungarian-Grand-Prix-2015-live.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728233652/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/11763670/Hungarian-Grand-Prix-2015-live.html |archive-date=28 July 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=26 July 2015|access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramsey|first1=Jonathon|title=Race Recap: 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix is Magyar for 'What a race!'|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/26/2015-hungarian-grand-prix-race-recap/|publisher=AutoBlog|access-date=26 July 2015|date=31 July 2015}}</ref> However, McLaren did not score points in the next four races until Button finished ninth at the [[2015 Russian Grand Prix|Russian Grand Prix]]. At the following [[2015 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]], Button scored his best result of the season with sixth place. The team finished ninth in the constructors' standings with 27 points, McLaren's worst performance since 1980.[[File:Stoffel Vandoorne 2017 Catalonia test (27 Feb-2 Mar) Day 4.jpg|thumb|[[Stoffel Vandoorne]] in the [[McLaren MCL32|MCL32]], showing the new orange and black livery]]
McLaren retained the Alonso - Button pairing for the {{F1|2016}} season. The second year of the Honda partnership was better than the first, with the team being able to challenge for top 10 positions on a more regular basis. However, the season started with a massive crash at the [[2016 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]] in which [[Fernando Alonso]] sustained rib fractures and a [[collapsed lung]] after colliding with [[Esteban Gutiérrez]] and somersaulting into the crash barriers. Alonso, as a result of his injuries, was forced to miss the second round of the Championship, the [[2016 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain Grand Prix]], and was replaced by reserve driver [[Stoffel Vandoorne]]. Vandoorne produced an impressive performance in his first race to score the team's first point of the season with 10th place. The next points for McLaren came at the [[2016 Russian Grand Prix|Russian Grand Prix]] with Alonso and Button finishing sixth and 10th respectively. The rain-affected [[2016 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco Grand Prix]] was one of best races of the season for the team. Alonso finished fifth, having kept [[Nico Rosberg]]'s Mercedes behind him for 46 laps, while Button scored two points with ninth. At the [[2016 Austrian Grand Prix|Austrian Grand Prix]], Button recorded his best result of the season with a sixth-place after qualifying third in a wet/dry session. After a disappointing display at their home race, the [[2016 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]] at Silverstone, the team scored points at the next three rounds with six points in Hungary, four in Germany, and six points again thanks to an impressive seventh-place finish from Alonso at the [[2016 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]]. At the [[2016 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]], McLaren matched their Monaco result with 12 points after an attacking race from Alonso saw him claim fifth position while Button once again finished ninth. After a season of significant progress compared to 2015, Alonso and Button finished the championship in 10th and 15th places respectively with the team ending the season in sixth place in the Constructors' Championship with 76 points. On 3 September 2016, [[Jenson Button]] announced he would take a sabbatical from Formula One for the 2017 season. He then confirmed on 25 November that he would retire from F1 altogether with Vandoorne being Alonso's new Teammate for 2017.

In February 2017, McLaren signed [[Lando Norris]] to their Young Driver Programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39054098|title=Lando Norris: McLaren sign British teenager to young driver programme|last=Benson|first=Andrew|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=22 February 2017|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>

[[Fernando Alonso|Alonso]] did not take part in the [[2017 Monaco Grand Prix]] as he was participating in the [[2017 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]]. Instead Jenson Button returned for the one race as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/40033528|title=Monaco Grand Prix: Jenson Button feeling no pressure on Formula 1 return|date=24 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> McLaren finished 2017 9th with 30 points in total.

===Renault engines (2018–2020)===
[[File:2018 Chinese Grand Prix FP3 Fernando Alonso (40970600574) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Fernando Alonso driving in the [[McLaren MCL33]] at the [[2018 Chinese Grand Prix]]|left]]
[[File:Carlos Sainz-Mclaren-2019 (1).jpg|thumb|[[Carlos Sainz Jr.]] driving the [[McLaren MCL34]] at a test day around the [[Circuit de Catalunya]], in [[Barcelona]]]]

McLaren announced during the [[2017 Singapore Grand Prix]] weekend that they would split from engine supplier Honda at the end of the 2017 season and had agreed on a three-year customer deal to be supplied with [[Mecachrome]]-assembled [[Renault F1|Renault]] engines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41248320|title=McLaren-Honda split after three years of troubled partnership|date=15 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=15 September 2017}}</ref> Team boss Éric Boullier described their performance between 2015 and 2017 as a "proper disaster" for the team's credibility.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Galloway|first=James|date=21 September 2017|title=McLaren-Honda reunion a 'disaster' for credibility, says Eric Boullier|work=Sky Sports|url=http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11046080/mclaren-honda-reunion-a-disaster-for-credibility-says-eric-boullier|access-date=22 September 2017}}</ref> {{F1|2018}} was the first season in McLaren's history when their cars were powered by Renault engines. McLaren also announced that Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne would remain with the team for the [[2018 Formula One World Championship|2018 season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/10/alonso-to-race-on-with-mclaren-in-2018.html|title=Alonso to race on with McLaren in 2018|work=Formula1.com|access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131359/vandoorne-to-continue-with-mclaren-in-2018|title=Stoffel Vandoorne confirmed at McLaren for 2018 Formula 1 season|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|work=Autosport.com|access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> On 6 November 2017, the team announced that Lando Norris would be the team's test and reserve driver.<ref name="Norris Reserve">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41888988 |title=Lando Norris: McLaren promote young Briton to test and reserve driver for 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=6 November 2017|access-date=6 November 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Lando Norris 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix - race day.jpg|thumb|[[Lando Norris]] driving the [[McLaren MCL35]] at the [[2020 Tuscan Grand Prix]]]]
At the season-opening [[2018 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]], Fernando Alonso scored the team's best finish since the [[2016 Monaco Grand Prix]] with fifth, Alonso said that the team's target would be Red Bull Racing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2018/3/proud-alonso-targets-red-bull-after-fifth-place-finish.html|title=Proud Alonso targets Red Bull after fifth-place finish|work=Formula1.com|access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref> McLaren had a relatively good start to the season with points finishes in the next four races, but in the next 16 races after Spain, McLaren only scored 22 points, 8 points less than in the same period in 2017. On 14 August 2018, Fernando Alonso announced he would not compete in Formula One in 2019, ending his four-year spell at the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/fernando-alonso/mclaren-confirms-fernando-alonso-decision/|title=McLaren confirms Fernando Alonso decision|publisher=McLaren|date=14 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|archive-date=14 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814191822/https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/fernando-alonso/mclaren-confirms-fernando-alonso-decision/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Carlos Sainz Jr.]] was signed as his replacement on a multi-year deal.<ref name="Sainz">{{cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/inside-the-mtc/carlos-sainz-race-mclaren-2019/|title=Carlos Sainz to race for McLaren from 2019|publisher=McLaren|date=16 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509135633/https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/inside-the-mtc/carlos-sainz-race-mclaren-2019/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 September 2018, it was announced that [[Stoffel Vandoorne]] would be leaving the team at the end of the season, with [[Lando Norris]] being promoted from reserve driver to replace him in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/lando-norris/lando-norris-drive-mclaren-2019/|title=Lando Norris to drive for McLaren in 2019|publisher=McLaren|date=3 September 2018|access-date=3 September 2018|archive-date=3 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903151214/https://www.mclaren.com/formula1/team/lando-norris/lando-norris-drive-mclaren-2019/|url-status=dead}}</ref> McLaren struggled with performance throughout the season, with the McLaren drivers being knocked out 21 times in the first qualifying session, and McLaren having the second-worst average qualifying ranking of any team, only ahead of [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racefans.net/2018-f1-season/2018-f1-statistics/2018-f1-qualifying-data/|title=2018 F1 qualifying data|website=www.racefans.net|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> The team finished the disappointing season – after being helped by the exclusion of [[Force India]]'s points from the first 12 races – in 6th place with 62 points, 357 points behind their target, Red Bull Racing, with the same engine.

The [[2019 Formula One World Championship|2019 season]] was much more positive for McLaren, with the team securely establishing themselves as the best constructor behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. At the [[2019 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian Grand Prix]], Sainz recorded the team's first podium since the [[2014 Australian Grand Prix]], finishing fourth on the road but later promoted to third after Lewis Hamilton received a post-race penalty, meaning that the team missed out on the official podium ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-penalty-brazil-podium-albon/4599156/|title=Hamilton loses podium after penalty for Albon clash|website=www.motorsport.com|date=17 November 2019 |language=en|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref> McLaren ended the season in 4th place with 145 points, their best result since 2014 and 54 points ahead of their nearest competitor, Renault.

McLaren retained Norris and Sainz for the {{F1|2020}} season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2019 |title=Carlos and Lando will continue with the team next year |url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/team/mclaren-confirms-2020-formula-1-driver-line-up/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=McLaren |language=en}}</ref> The season was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was shortened to 18 races, with the season opener to take place in [[Red Bull Ring|Austria]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=Joseph |date=2 June 2020 |title=All eyes on Austria as F1 season set to start in Spielberg |url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/f1-austrian-grand-prix-2020-season-start |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Red Bull}}</ref> At the [[2020 Austrian Grand Prix|Austrian Grand Prix]], Norris achieved his first ever podium,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2020 |title='Speechless' Norris thought he'd 'fudged' chance of maiden podium finish |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.speechless-maiden-podium-finisher-norris-says-i-thought-i-fudged-it-up.1BaTwJwpCf8VMcs1y8BYDq.html |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Formula 1}}</ref> finishing in third.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ryan |date=6 July 2020 |title=Norris 'proud' to snatch third place with fastest lap on final lap |url=https://www.motorsportweek.com/2020/07/05/norris-proud-to-snatch-third-place-with-fastest-lap-on-final-lap/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Motorsport Week}}</ref> Sainz achieved the team's second podium in 2020 at the [[2020 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]], where he finished second.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partridge |first=Jarrod |date=7 September 2020 |title=Carlos Sainz happy with second at 2020 Italian Grand Prix |url=https://f1chronicle.com/carlos-sainz-happy-second-2020-italian-grand-prix/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=F1 Chronicle}}</ref> The team finished the 2020 season third in the constructors' championship with 202 points.<ref name="Standings">{{cite web |title=2020 Constructor Standings |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/team.html |access-date=21 January 2021 |website=Formula 1 |language=en}}</ref> Sainz finished the drivers' championship in sixth with 105 points and Norris in ninth with 97 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Driver Standings |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2020/drivers.html |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Formula 1}}</ref>

===Return to Mercedes engines (2021–)===
[[File:2021 British Grand Prix (51350004859).jpg|left|thumb|[[Lando Norris]] driving the [[McLaren MCL35#Competition and development history of the MCL35M|McLaren MCL35M]] at the [[2021 British Grand Prix]]]]

McLaren again used [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]] engines in {{F1|2021}} after their deal with [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] ended.<ref>{{cite web|title=McLaren F1 To Be Powered By Mercedes-Benz From 2021|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/mclaren-f1-powered-mercedes-benz-2021/|website=McLaren.com/racing|publisher=[[McLaren Technology Group]]|date=27 September 2019|access-date=27 September 2019}}</ref> McLaren had previously collaborated with Mercedes from 1995 through 2014 (1995 to 2009 was a works partner and later 2010 to 2014 was a customer partner) but this time a customer role system by pay-lease agreement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why McLaren and Mercedes have joined forces again for 2021|url=http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.why-mclaren-and-mercedes-have-joined-forces-again-for-2021.13KAgEaykDn1Y2O0ZwvNDa.html|website=F1|publisher=[[Formula One Group|Formula One World Championship]]|date=29 September 2019|access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref> [[Daniel Ricciardo]] moved from Renault to partner [[Lando Norris]] for the [[2021 Formula One World Championship]] on a multi-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=McLaren swoop for Daniel Ricciardo as Carlos Sainz's replacement for 2021|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.mclaren-swoop-for-daniel-ricciardo-as-carlos-sainz-replacement-for-2021.6CgsQLN5ZasbdFg4qCjbZo.html|website=F1|publisher=[[Formula One Group|Formula One World Championship]]|date=15 May 2020 |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref> Ricciardo replaced [[Carlos Sainz Jr.|Carlos Sainz]], who moved to [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sainz confirmed as Leclerc's Ferrari team mate for 2021
|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-sainz-confirmed-as-leclercs-ferrari-team-mate-for-2021.5dSxBMUOyivTKN67Qx28Tl.html|website=F1|publisher=[[Formula One Group|Formula One World Championship]]|date=14 May 2020 |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref> In the season's first nine races, the team scored three podiums with Mercedes power, in [[2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix|Italy]], [[2021 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] and [[2021 Austrian Grand Prix|Austria]], all courtesy of Norris.
[[File:Daniel Ricciardo 2022 Emilia Romagna.jpg|thumb|[[Daniel Ricciardo]] driving the [[McLaren MCL36]] at the [[2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix]]. His teammate scored a podium, while Ricciardo finished 18th and last, leading some to question his future.]]
At the [[2021 Italian Grand Prix]], Ricciardo scored his first win since the [[2018 Monaco Grand Prix]], and McLaren's first win since the [[2012 Brazilian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2021 Italian Grand Prix race report and highlights: Ricciardo leads stunning McLaren 1-2 at Monza after Verstappen and Hamilton collide again|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.ricciardo-leads-stunning-mclaren-1-2-at-monza-after-verstappen-and-hamilton.2BH4g9dpznux3HTK3SXj9B.html|access-date=12 September 2021|website=www.formula1.com|language=en}}</ref> A second-place finish for Norris also meant that McLaren achieved their first one-two finish since the [[2010 Canadian Grand Prix]] and the only one-two finish for the 2021 season. Norris secured the team's first pole position in the hybrid era at the [[2021 Russian Grand Prix]] but was unable to convert it to a win, finishing in seventh place due to the sudden drastic change in weather conditions and team strategy in the last two laps of the race. A subsequent drop in form in the latter part of the season saw McLaren ending up fourth in the constructors' championship behind Ferrari.

For the {{F1|2022}} season, McLaren retained both Norris and Ricciardo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaver |first=Dan |date=19 May 2021 |title=Lando Norris signs extension with McLaren F1 for '2022 and beyond' |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2021/05/19/lando-norris-mclaren-f1-daniel-ricciardo/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731215302/https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2021/05/19/lando-norris-mclaren-f1-daniel-ricciardo/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ricciardo tested positive for [[COVID-19]] ahead of the pre-season tests in Bahrain,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=McLaren Racing Statement - Daniel Ricciardo tests positive for covid-19 |url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/daniel-ricciardo-tests-positive-covid-19/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=McLaren |language=en}}</ref> which meant Norris was required to do all the remaining running for the test<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Ashley |date=12 March 2022 |title=McLaren faces challenges on second day of testing in Bahrain |url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2022/03/mclaren-faces-challenges-on-second-day-of-testing-in-bahrain/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=The Checkered Flag |language=en-GB}}</ref> although a brake problem limited the testing he was able to conduct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonagh |first=Connor |date=14 March 2022 |title=Norris bemoans 'not ideal' Bahrain F1 test after brake issues |url=https://www.crash.net/f1/results/998377/1/norris-bemoans-not-ideal-bahrain-f1-test-after-brake-issues |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Crash |language=en}}</ref> Both drivers struggled at the first race in [[2022 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]], with neither driver reaching Q3 – the first time since the [[2020 Turkish Grand Prix]] – and finishing 14th and 15th in the race.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saha |first=Rishika |date=20 March 2022 |title=McLaren fails to qualify into Q3 for the first time since the Turkish Grand Prix in 2020 |url=https://firstsportz.com/formula-one-mclaren-fails-to-put-forth-a-stellar-performance-in-bahrain-gp-qualifying/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=First Sportz |language=en}}</ref> Norris achieved third at the [[2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix|Emilia Romagna Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2022 |title=Norris hails 'amazing' McLaren performance after consecutive Imola podiums |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.norris-hails-amazing-mclaren-performance-after-consecutive-imola-podium.1f3vPsqPzm9UbjCyAEOwWl.html |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Formula 1 |language=en}}</ref> After Norris missed the first day at the track during the [[2022 São Paulo Grand Prix|São Paulo Grand Prix]] weekend, McLaren suffered their first double DNF finish since Monaco 2017 as Norris had an electrical fault<ref>{{Cite web |title='I'm not here to let everyone past' – Norris defends collision with Leclerc after 'disappointing' DNF in Sao Paulo {{!}} Formula 1® |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.im-not-here-to-let-everyone-past-norris-defends-collision-with-leclerc-after.3cTQglpTJ8IgGK2SWoKkm2.html |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=www.formula1.com |language=en}}</ref> and Ricciardo was involved in a collision with [[Haas F1 Team|Haas]]' Kevin Magnussen.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Lap one incidents are brutal' – Magnussen and Ricciardo reflect on race-ending collision in Sao Paulo {{!}} Formula 1® |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.lap-1-incidents-are-brutal-magnussen-and-ricciardo-reflect-on-race-ending.1krTQZT1SBGok7X0guUZpn.html |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=www.formula1.com |language=en}}</ref> Compared to his teammate, Ricciardo struggled and many were critical of his performance,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Golding |first=Nick |date=28 May 2022 |title=McLaren unhappy after Ricciardo 'simply struggled' |url=https://formula1news.co.uk/mclaren-unhappy-after-ricciardo-simply-struggled/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Formula 1 News |language=en-GB}}</ref> with some suggesting that McLaren would drop him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2022 |title=Daniel Ricciardo has McLaren contract but 'mechanisms' for 2023 as F1 'rumours grow louder' |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24239/12623521/daniel-ricciardo-has-mclaren-contract-but-mechanisms-for-2023-as-f1-rumours-grow-louder |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref> This forced Ricciardo into releasing a statement on Instagram, confirming he would stay through to 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Straw |first=Edd |date=21 July 2022 |title=Who Ricciardo was targeting with statement on his F1 future |url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/who-ricciardo-was-targeting-with-statement-on-his-f1-future/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, Riccardo's contract for 2023 was terminated by mutual agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Ricciardo to leave McLaren at end of 2022 season as team eye wantaway Alpine driver Oscar Piastri |website = Sky Sports |language=en |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12680562/daniel-ricciardo-to-leave-mclaren-at-end-of-2022-season-as-team-eye-wantaway-alpine-driver-oscar-piastri/ |access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref> [[Oscar Piastri]] replaced Ricciardo for the 2023 season after a contract dispute with [[Alpine F1 Team]] was resolved in McLaren's favour by the [[FIA Contract Recognition Board]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2022 |title=Decision of the Contract Recognition Board 02/09/2022 |url=https://www.fia.com/news/decision-contract-recognition-board-02092022 |access-date=3 September 2022 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Piastri to drive for McLaren as Alpine lose appeal |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/62767046 |access-date=2 September 2022}}</ref> McLaren finished the season in fifth place in the constructors' championship behind Alpine.

[[File:FIA F1 Austria 2023 Nr. 4 (2).jpg|left|thumb|[[Lando Norris]] driving the [[McLaren MCL60]] at the [[2023 Austrian Grand Prix]]. After a poor start to the season, the team rethought its design direction, resulting in an uptick in the MCL60's performance by the midpoint of the season.]]

The [[2023 Formula One World Championship|2023 season]] celebrated the 60th anniversary of the team's founding, with the season's car named the [[McLaren MCL60|MCL60]] in commemoration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2023 |title=What is McLaren60? |url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/what-is-mclaren60/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209020831/https://www.mclaren.com/racing/inside-the-mtc/what-is-mclaren60/ |archive-date=9 February 2023 |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=McLaren Racing |publisher=McLaren Racing Ltd. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyndon-Griffiths |first=Hamilton |date=13 February 2023 |title=McLaren presents 2023 F1 car and livery for 60th celebratory year |url=https://readmotorsport.com/2023/02/13/mclaren-presents-2023-f1-car-and-livery-for-60th-celebratory-year/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Read Motorsport |language=en}}</ref> The season started with a myriad of issues for the team,<ref>{{cite web |title=How a 15mm difference triggered McLaren's F1 2023 woes |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/how-a-15mm-difference-triggered-mclarens-f1-2023-woes/10440939/ |website=Autosport.com |date=7 March 2023 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Noble |first1=Jonathan |title=McLaren failed to hit development targets with 2023 F1 car |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-failed-to-hit-development-targets-with-2023-f1-car-/10435975/ |website=motorsport.com |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref> causing them to release a public statement after the [[Saudi Arabian Grand Prix]], announcing certain organisational changes.{{efn|name=changes|Of these changes, James Key would be replaced as Technical Director<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |title=Formula 1: McLaren technical director James Key leaves as new team structure revealed |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/65054104 |website=BBC.com |publisher=BBC SPORT |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref> and replaced by a Technical Executive Team consisting of three new specialised Technical Director roles consisting of Peter Prodomou as Technical Director, Aerodynamics, David Sanchez (joining in January 2024 after his gardening leave ended) as Technical Director, Car concept and performance, and Neil Houdly, Technical Director Engineer and Design<ref>{{cite web |title=McLaren Formula 1 Team Announces Organisational Changes |url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/formula-1/2023/mclaren-formula-1-team-announces-organisational-changes/ |website=mclaren.com |publisher=McLaren |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref> who is a placeholder for Rob Marshall, who, like Sanchez, has been hired from a rival team but is on gardening leave until January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McLaren announce signing of Rob Marshall from Red Bull as new technical chief {{!}} Formula 1® |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-mclaren-announce-signing-of-rob-marshall-from-red-bull-as-new.4uMlM1wSvYRFeFdgxv5CM.html |access-date=22 November 2023 |website=www.formula1.com |language=en}}</ref>}} After not scoring points in the first two races, Norris and Piastri finished the chaotic [[2023 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]] in sixth and eighth place respectively, with Piastri scoring his first points in Formula One and for McLaren.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Giles |date=2 April 2023 |title=Max Verstappen wins Australian GP as chaotic F1 race finishes under safety car |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/02/max-verstappen-wins-australian-gp-as-chaotic-f1-race-finishes-under-safety-car |access-date= |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> During the midpoint of the season, McLaren's trajectory began to increase with upgrades being introduced at the [[2023 Austrian Grand Prix|Austrian]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valantine |first=Henry |date=30 June 2023 |title=Ferrari, McLaren lead the way with key updates as Austrian GP upgrades unveiled |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrari-mclaren-austrian-gp-upgrades-unveiled/ |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en}}</ref> and [[2023 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore Grands Prix]]. The upgrades were an immediate success, and McLaren attained its first podium with Norris since the 2021 Italian Grand Prix. Piastri achieved his first career podium at the [[2023 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grand Prix]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Matthew |date=24 September 2023 |title='Pretty special': Oscar Piastri claims maiden podium at Japanese Grand Prix |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-one/f1-japanese-grand-prix-live-race-updates/news-story/78bcf48ae7e259060c865b007a6ca445 |access-date=24 September 2023 |website=news.com.au}}</ref> and won the [[2023 Qatar Grand Prix|Qatar Grand Prix]] sprint race, marking McLaren's first sprint race victory in Formula One; the main race saw a record be broken for the fastest pit stop in Formula One, setting a pit stop time of 1.80 seconds, 0.02 quicker than the previous record set by Red Bull Racing in the [[2019 Brazilian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fastest F1 pit stop: McLaren just set the world record with this speedy stop |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2023/10/15/fastest-f1-pit-stop-formula-one/71155604007/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> During the [[2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] weekend, McLaren signed an extension to use Mercedes engines until 2030.<ref name=":2" /> After a disastrous start to the season, McLaren took fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, with Norris taking sixth and Piastri taking ninth in the drivers' championship.

'''2024: Constructors' Champion'''

[[File:2024-08-25 Motorsport, Formel 1, Großer Preis der Niederlande 2024 STP 3805 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|[[Lando Norris]] driving the [[McLaren MCL38]] at the [[2024 Dutch Grand Prix]]. An evolution of the accomplished MCL60, the MCL38 scored consistent results after a mid-season upgrade, propelling them into championship contention.]]
The success of the MCL60 provided McLaren, who finished the 2023 season in fourth, allowing for more testing time,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-13 |title=Stella sets out McLaren's development plan for rest of 2024 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/stella-sets-out-mclarens-development-plan-for-second-half-of-2024-as-he.IjSxVv8pxljt7LhOnCBLI |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One Administration]] |language=en |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816030633/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/stella-sets-out-mclarens-development-plan-for-second-half-of-2024-as-he.IjSxVv8pxljt7LhOnCBLI |url-status=live }}</ref>  numerous opportunities to capitalise in performance for the {{f1|2024}} season. Retaining Norris and Piastri, the team hired [[David Sanchez (engineer)|David Sanchez]] from [[Scuderia Ferrari]] to lead development<ref>{{cite web |last=Medland |first=Chris |date=23 March 2023 |title=Key leaves McLaren, Sanchez returning amid technical restructure |url=https://racer.com/2023/03/23/key-leaves-mclaren-sanchez-returning-amid-technical-restructure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324033950/https://racer.com/2023/03/23/key-leaves-mclaren-sanchez-returning-amid-technical-restructure/ |archive-date=24 March 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=[[Racer (magazine)|RACER]] |language=en-US |issn=1066-6060}}</ref> alongside [[Peter Prodromou]] and [[Neil Houldey]] (after a restructuring, [[Rob Marshall (motorsport)|Rob Marshall]] would lead development<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suttill |first=Josh |date=2024-04-02 |title=McLaren's big ex-Ferrari F1 hire out after three months |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-reshuffle-ex-ferrari-f1-hire-david-sanchez-out-after-three-months/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407152757/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-reshuffle-ex-ferrari-f1-hire-david-sanchez-out-after-three-months/ |url-status=live }}</ref>) for the 2024 car, titled the [[McLaren MCL38|MCL38]]. At the start of the season, the MCL38 proved to be the third-fastest car overall behind Ferrari's [[Ferrari SF-24|SF-24]]. The SF-24 had superior tyre management, but the MCL38 excelled in qualifying.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Mitchell-Malm |first=Scott |date=2024-04-09 |title=McLaren's gained on Red Bull - but not where it needs to most |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/where-mclarens-gained-in-f1-2024-so-far-and-whats-it-lost/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422062018/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/where-mclarens-gained-in-f1-2024-so-far-and-whats-it-lost/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McLaren revealed a substantial upgrade package that would be utilised for the {{f1 gp|2024|Miami}}. The upgrade's success would be confirmed after Norris took the lead from Verstappen and went on to win the race, marking his maiden Formula One career victory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suttill |first=Josh |date=2024-05-05 |title=Lando Norris's first F1 victory at Miami GP explained |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/lando-norris-first-f1-win-at-miami-gp-explained/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506015905/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/lando-norris-first-f1-win-at-miami-gp-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kalinauckas |first=Alex |date=2024-05-06 |title=F1 Miami GP: Norris takes advantage of safety car for maiden win |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-miami-gp-norris-safety-car-maiden-win/10607405/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |publisher=[[Motorsport Network]] |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505235211/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-miami-gp-norris-safety-car-maiden-win/10607405/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McLaren expected the upgrades to improve the car's performance across all conditions;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coch |first=Mat |date=2024-05-04 |title=F1 UPGRADES: Huge upgrade for McLaren in Miami |url=https://speedcafe.com/f1-upgrades-huge-upgrade-for-mclaren-in-miami/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=[[Speedcafe]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504040531/https://speedcafe.com/f1-upgrades-huge-upgrade-for-mclaren-in-miami/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |date=2024-05-03 |title=Big packages for McLaren and Mercedes among Miami F1 upgrades |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-mercedes-upgrades-miami-gp-f1-declared/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=4 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504040509/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-mercedes-upgrades-miami-gp-f1-declared/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Anderson (motorsport) |date=2024-05-10 |title=Gary Anderson's verdict on McLaren's race-winning F1 upgrade |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-race-winning-f1-upgrade-gary-anderson-explains/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621112020/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-race-winning-f1-upgrade-gary-anderson-explains/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the upgrade was much more successful than expected, to the point the team needed to investigate it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2024-05-24 |title=Why McLaren's biggest F1 weakness may not hold it back at Monaco |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclarens-biggest-f1-weakness-may-not-hold-it-back-at-monaco/10614674/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |publisher=[[Motorsport Network]] |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530035354/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclarens-biggest-f1-weakness-may-not-hold-it-back-at-monaco/10614674/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2024-05-31 |title=McLaren chasing answers to unexpected F1 upgrade success |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-chasing-answers-unexpected-upgrade-success/10617803/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |publisher=[[Motorsport Network]] |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601070159/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-chasing-answers-unexpected-upgrade-success/10617803/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the {{f1 gp|2024|British}}, the MCL38 had been established as the fastest car.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hughes |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |date=September 2024 |editor-last=Dunn |editor-first=Joe |title=Merc and McLaren take the Bull by the horns |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-2024/32/mercedes-and-mclaren-take-the-bull-by-the-horns-british-hungarian-and-belgian-gp-report/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-08-14 |magazine=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |location=London |pages=32–36 |volume=100 |issue=9 |issn=0027-2019 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814124706/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-2024/32/mercedes-and-mclaren-take-the-bull-by-the-horns-british-hungarian-and-belgian-gp-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Of these successes included a 1-2 finish at the {{f1 gp|2024|Hungarian}}, McLaren's first since the [[2021 Italian Grand Prix]]. A mid-season upgrade introduced for the {{f1 gp|2024|Dutch}} further improved performance,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Somerfield |first1=Matt |last2=Noble |first2=Jonathan |date=2024-08-23 |title=What's behind McLaren's 'more risky' latest F1 upgrade |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/whats-behind-mclarens-more-risky-latest-f1-upgrade/10646898/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |publisher=[[Motorsport Network]] |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823160642/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/whats-behind-mclarens-more-risky-latest-f1-upgrade/10646898/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Norris winning by over 27 seconds ahead of second-placed Verstappen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |date=2024-08-26 |title=The critical moments for Norris as he soared to an emphatic Dutch Grand Prix win |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/monday-morning-debrief-the-critical-moments-for-norris-as-he-soared-to-an.54ullW6EEUkZOFRa1ltmAP |url-access=registration |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Formula1.com |publisher=[[Formula One Administration]] |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826152413/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/monday-morning-debrief-the-critical-moments-for-norris-as-he-soared-to-an.54ullW6EEUkZOFRa1ltmAP |url-status=live }}</ref> Piastri's triumph at the {{f1 gp|2024|Azerbaijan}} moved McLaren up to first in the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Constructors' Championship]]. This was the first time since {{F1|2014}} that McLaren had led the WCC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cleeren |first=Filip |date=2024-09-15 |title=F1 Azerbaijan GP: Piastri beats Leclerc in thrilling battle; Norris outscores Verstappen |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-azerbaijan-gp-piastri-wins-amid-late-drama-norris-outscores-verstappen/10654518/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |publisher=[[Motorsport Network]] |language=en}}</ref> In Abu Dhabi, Norris finished in first to win McLaren's first World Constructors' Championship since 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last= Richards |first= Giles |date= 8 December 2024 |title= Lando Norris wins Abu Dhabi F1 GP as McLaren take first title since 1998 |work= The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/dec/08/lando-norris-wins-f1-abu-dhabi-gp-as-mcclaren-take-first-title-since-1998 |access-date= 10 December 2024 }}</ref>

[[File:2025 Japan GP - McLaren - Oscar Piastri - FP1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Oscar Piastri]] driving the [[McLaren MCL39]] at the [[2025 Japanese Grand Prix]]. An improvement on the successful MCL38, the MCL39, as of the [[2025 Miami Grand Prix]], has shown consistency by taking podiums and winning five of six races it has competed in thus far.]]
With McLaren winning the WCC the previous season, they were allocated less testing time, and were deemed the favourites to defend the Constructors' Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-13 |title=2025 McLaren F1 car launch: title favourites first to reveal new car — in camouflage livery |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/2025-mclaren-f1-car-launch/ |url-access=limited |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]] |place=London |language=en-GB |issn=0027-2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Nate |date=2025-02-14 |title=Lando Norris ready for 'elbows out' vs. Max Verstappen in title fight |url=https://www.espn.com.au/f1/story/_/id/43826175/lando-norris-ready-elbows-vs-max-verstappen-title-fight |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=[[ESPN.com|ESPN.com.au]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |place=Silverstone |language=en |publication-place=Bristol, Connecticut}}</ref> The [[McLaren MCL39|MCL39]] was the first McLaren car to be fully overseen by Rob Marshall, and it exhibited numerous technical improvements over its predecessor. The MCL39 showed an immediate advantage over the rest of the field, taking consistent podiums and winning five{{efn|name=2025victories|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suttill |first=Josh |date=2025-03-16 |title=Norris wins wild wet-dry Australian GP |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/norris-wins-wild-wet-dry-australian-gp/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite newspaper |last=Linden |first=Julian |date=2025-03-24 |title=Piastri's perfect drive from pole to victory |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-chinese-grand-prix-2025-live-updates-and-results/live-coverage/ae14f53fe70795ba402667b2b538ffe8 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=[[The Australian]] |department=Sport |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |location=Sydney |pages=24 |language=en-au |issn=1038-8761}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hulkenberg-disqualified-from-bahrain-grand-prix-over-skid-block-breach.t1Ekg9siTRhjo5mRcak3v|title=Hulkenberg disqualified from Bahrain Grand Prix over skid block breach|website=Formula 1.com|date=13 April 2025|access-date=13 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/piastri-clinches-victory-in-saudi-arabia-from-verstappen-and-leclerc-as.1XBezBwUfLfjOayPSKNs41|title=Piastri clinches victory in Saudi Arabia from Verstappen and Leclerc as McLaren driver becomes new championship leader|website=Formula 1.com|date=20 April 2025|access-date=20 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/piastri-wins-from-norris-and-russell-as-mclaren-seal-commanding-1-2-in-miami.6Vfaf5zEMOKmPHzHdkGdof|title=Piastri wins from Norris and Russell as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami Grand Prix|website=Formula 1.com|date=5 May 2025}}</ref>}} out of six races thus far in 2025 - one with Norris, and four with Piastri, and including two 1-2 finishes in [[2025 Chinese Grand Prix|China]] and [[2025 Miami Grand Prix|Miami]] - with the only exception as of the Miami Grand Prix being the Chinese Grand Prix sprint event and the [[2025 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper |last=Wade |first=Stephen |date=2025-04-06 |orig-date=5 April 2025 |title=Max on pole |work=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |department=Sport |publisher=[[Seven West Media]] |location=Perth |pages=50 |issn=1442-9527 |oclc=427972890 |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>