McLaren, the titan of Formula 1, has yet to resolve whether it will uphold its tradition of capturing a team photograph to commemorate non-race win podiums. The decision hangs in the balance as the team intensifies its focus on winning the championship double, a feat the team’s driver, Lando Norris, believes is well within its grasp.
Since its remarkable resurgence in 2023, the Woking-based team has been a formidable force at the sharp end of the competition, marking its top-three finishes with a collective snapshot. This practice continued even when their MCL38 car set the standard last season, transforming victories from a hope to an anticipation in their quest for the championship title.
However, as the team gears up for the upcoming season, it is contemplating whether to retain this trend. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, has indicated that the decision will hinge on a broader discussion within the team, taking into account the collective sentiment. Stella, in a frank conversation with select media outlets, including Motorsport Week, shared his thoughts: “Celebrating success is definitely part of establishing our culture. A podium is an important result, so we will evaluate internally.”
He went on to emphasize the team’s grounded approach, stating, “We are a people with feet on the ground and we want to keep acknowledging and celebrating success even if this is not necessarily a victory because a podium in Formula 1 is still a very important result.” He hinted that a decision may be announced soon.
McLaren’s recent championship win guarantees them the first garage in the pit lane this season, a privilege that was evident during pre-season testing. Despite the sense of pride this position elicits, Stella insists that the team’s focus is firmly on the present and future, with the aim of retaining this privilege in 2025.
As he put it: “In terms of being the first garage, I’m sure everyone in the team will have had, for a second, this kind of thought as you alluded to: ‘like, wow, we are the first garage’. But if I know my team well, I know that this will be the thought of a second, and the second after is like, ‘okay, good. Now it’s all to be gained again’.”
Stella’s comments underscore the team’s ambition to repeat their title success, making it clear that they’re not resting on their laurels. As McLaren prepares for the 2025 F1 season, it’s clear that they are determined to keep pushing boundaries and building on their past achievements.
