McLaren's 1,000th Grand Prix: A Journey Through Iconic Wins, Defeats, and Championships

McLaren will celebrate its 1,000th Formula 1 grand prix at Monaco in 2026 – the same circuit where the team made its debut 60 years ago. From Bruce McLaren's first win at Spa in 1968 to Lando Norris's thrilling drivers' title in 2025, the journey spans iconic triumphs, bitter defeats, and unforgettable characters.

Why it matters:

McLaren is only the second team in F1 history to reach this milestone, underscoring its place among the sport's elite. The achievement comes after years of rebuilding under Zak Brown, with the team now back at the top after the 2024 constructors' and 2025 drivers' championships.

The details:

• 1968 Belgian GP: Bruce McLaren scores the team's first victory, starting a legacy of 203 wins.
• 1976 Japanese GP: James Hunt snatches the title from Niki Lauda in a season immortalized by Rush.
• 1988 Italian GP: The dominant MP4/4's only loss – a controversial defeat to Ferrari at Monza after Enzo's death, a race that still haunts.
• 2005 United States GP: The infamous six-car race; McLaren officially counts it as a start despite neither driver racing, leaving four races where the team failed to start since 1966.
• 2008 Brazilian GP: Lewis Hamilton wins his first title on the last corner of the last lap, denying Felipe Massa in his home race.
• 2021 Italian GP: Daniel Ricciardo ends McLaren's nine-year win drought, capitalizing on Verstappen-Hamilton crash.
• 2025 Abu Dhabi GP: Lando Norris clinches the drivers' title by two points over Verstappen, completing McLaren's first double championship since 1998.

What's next:

With the team riding high after back-to-back constructors' titles and a drivers' crown, the focus turns to the new regulations in 2026. Monaco will be both a celebration of history and a launchpad for the future, as McLaren aims to continue its legacy at the front of the grid.