Hamilton and Alonso Join McLaren Legends for 1,000th GP Celebration

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso returned to the McLaren family this weekend in Monaco, joining a star-studded lineup of former drivers to celebrate the team's 1,000th Formula 1 grand prix. The event, held 60 years after Bruce McLaren debuted the team at the same circuit in 1966, brought together 11 of McLaren’s 15 surviving race winners.

Why it matters:

McLaren's 1,000th GP is a landmark for one of F1's most iconic teams. With 203 wins and nine constructors' championships, the Woking outfit has shaped the sport's history. The reunion of drivers from different eras—from Emerson Fittipaldi to Lewis Hamilton—illustrates a rare continuity in a sport defined by constant change. It also comes at a time when McLaren, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, is back at the front of the grid.

The details:

• The lineup, arranged left to right: David Coulthard (12 wins), Heikki Kovalainen (1), Fernando Alonso (4), Mika Häkkinen (20), Oscar Piastri (9), Andrea Stella, Stefano Domenicali, Zak Brown, Lando Norris (11), Emerson Fittipaldi (5), Gerhard Berger (3), Juan Pablo Montoya (3), John Watson (5), and Lewis Hamilton (21).
• The 11 drivers present account for 93 of McLaren's 203 wins. Missing from the photo: Alain Prost, Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Daniel Ricciardo.
• F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also joined the gathering, highlighting the sport's respect for McLaren's legacy.

What's next:

As McLaren celebrates its past, the focus quickly shifts to the future. With a competitive car in 2026 and a strong driver lineup, the team aims to add to that win tally. This reunion serves as a reminder of the standard they are chasing.