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McLaren’s Monumental Triumph: How F1’s Rules Shattered the Works-Team Dominance Myth

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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McLaren’s Monumental Triumph: How F1’s Rules Shattered the Works-Team Dominance Myth

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 McLaren's Oscar Piastri in action during the race REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

In a historic turn of events, McLaren, a Mercedes engine customer, clinched its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking a seismic shift in Formula 1’s competitive landscape. The victory, powered by Lando Norris’ heroic drive, defied the long-standing belief that only works teams could win titles in modern F1.

McLaren’s feat is not just a victory for the Woking-based team—it’s a statement about the evolving parity in Formula 1. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s boss, attributed this landmark achievement to the FIA’s regulations ensuring customer teams are no longer overshadowed by works outfits.


“A New Era for Customer Teams”: Stella Praises FIA’s Role
Stella didn’t hold back in crediting the FIA for leveling the playing field. “Thanks to the regulations and the good work by the FIA, there’s clarity in how engines are used between customer and works teams,” Stella explained. “We’re pretty relaxed knowing that the performance of customer power units is on par with works teams.”

This monumental win makes McLaren the first true customer team to win the Constructors’ title since Brawn GP’s fairytale 2009 season, which ironically led to the creation of the Mercedes factory team.

For Stella, the satisfaction isn’t just about proving critics wrong. “It’s not particularly satisfying to disprove the notion that only works teams can win. What’s satisfying is that F1 has created an environment where customer teams can genuinely compete at the highest level.”


Norris and Brown Reflect on the Historic Moment
Lando Norris, the star of the Abu Dhabi GP and an instrumental figure in McLaren’s resurgence, played down the “customer vs. works” debate. “Our objective has never been about proving people wrong. It’s about winning, no matter who we work with,” Norris remarked. “Mercedes has been a huge help in our success.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed this sentiment while highlighting the team’s deepening ties with Mercedes. Last year, McLaren extended its partnership with Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) through 2030, ensuring they remain a formidable contender in F1’s new engine era.

“We’ve negotiated a seat at the table with Mercedes,” Brown revealed, referring to McLaren’s involvement in shaping the 2026 power unit. “We now have influence and early awareness of their development, which strengthens our position.”


The Debate: Who Really Owns McLaren’s Success?
The Constructors’ Championship win sparked a heated debate within the F1 community. While Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff called it “a success for Mercedes motorsport,” others, like Alpine’s Flavio Briatore, dismissed the notion of McLaren’s win reflecting glory on Mercedes.

“How many times have you read or heard about McLaren-Mercedes becoming world champions? Never,” Briatore told Auto Motor und Sport. For him, McLaren’s title is entirely their own, with external contributors like engine suppliers relegated to footnotes.


Breaking the Works-Team Dominance
McLaren’s victory has shattered a narrative perpetuated by former McLaren owner Ron Dennis, who famously declared that customer teams couldn’t win titles in modern F1. As history shows, the last decade has been dominated by factory-backed giants like Mercedes and Red Bull, making McLaren’s breakthrough all the more significant.

Stella emphasized how vital it is to protect the balance. “The FIA’s work in protecting customer teams has opened the door for moments like this. It proves that you don’t have to be a works team to win races and championships.”


A Legacy for the Ages
As the years pass, McLaren’s historic 2024 title will likely stand as a testament to the potential of customer teams. Whether it’s celebrated as a McLaren triumph or a footnote in Mercedes’ engine success story, the victory has reshaped the conversation around what’s possible in Formula 1.

Unless the sport experiences another era of works-team dominance, McLaren’s achievement will remain a benchmark for other customer teams to aspire to—a reminder that the underdogs can still roar on the grandest stage.

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