McLaren has sealed its first Formula 1 constructor’s championship for 26 years in the final round of the 2024 championship.
Lando Norris’s victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix secured the title for the team.They suffered a scare at the start of the race when Oscar Piastri, who qualified second, was immediately knocked into a spin by Max Verstappen. With the Ferraris occupying the two positions behind Norris, any problem for the leading car would have swung the championship outcome.
McLaren have sealed the ninth constructors’ championship in their history. However, it is their first constructors’ championship in 26 years, making it the first time McLaren have won the teams’ title during their drivers’ lifetimes.
They have enjoyed by far their best season for over a decade in 2024, winning six grands prix between Norris and Piastri. Despite their success and title, Norris lost the drivers’ crown to Verstappen and Red Bull, who secured it two rounds ago in Las Vegas.
McLaren’s last constructors’ title came in 1998 when Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard beat Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine over a season-long battle. Despite Hakkinen defending his drivers’ championship the following season, Ferrari won the constructors’ title in the final round.
The team’s ninth constructors’ championship sees him finally match Williams and move into joint second place in the all-time teams rankings. Ferrari remain by far the most successful team in F1 history, with 16 titles.
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During their longest championship drought in the team’s history, one of McLaren’s drivers managed to win the crown. Lewis Hamilton claimed his first title with the team in 2008, then moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won six more titles.
This is the second time in four seasons Red Bull have failed to claim the constructors’ championship despite Verstappen winning the drivers’ title. Red Bull were beaten by Mercedes in Verstappen’s first championship season in 2021, then team and driver took both titles in 2022 and 2023.
History of F1 constructors’ champions
| Rank | Team | Championships | Year/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | 16 | 1961, 1964, 1975-77, 1979, 1982-83, 1999-2004, 2007-08 |
| 2 | Williams | 9 | 1980-81, 1986-87, 1992-93, 1994, 1996-97 |
| 2 | McLaren | 9 | 1974, 1984-85, 1988-91, 1998, 2024 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 8 | 2014-21 |
| 5 | Lotus | 7 | 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972-73, 1978 |
| 6 | Red Bull | 6 | 2010-13, 2022-23 |
| 7 | Cooper | 2 | 1959-60 |
| 7 | Brabham | 2 | 1966-67 |
| 7 | Renault | 2 | 2005-06 |
| 10 | Vanwall | 1 | 1958 |
| 10 | BRM | 1 | 1962 |
| 10 | Matra | 1 | 1969 |
| 10 | Tyrrell | 1 | 1971 |
| 10 | Benetton | 1 | 1995 |
| 10 | Brawn | 1 | 2009 |
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Timeline of F1 constructors’ champions
Pictures: McLaren celebrate constructors’ championship win
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Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
8th December 2024, 14:42
I thought McLaren were destined to the midfield like Williams is after those horrible years that proceeded 2012. Even more so when the Honda partnership went to to pieces and whatever they had from their side was rubbish as well. The fact that they managed to win a race in 2021 was surprising but maybe it was just that odd win that happens sometimes. Like Alpine’s or Alpha Tauri’s. But to then go on, be rubbish again and recover so fast? Hat off to Zak Brown there…
I can’t think of any sportmen or team in any sport that went so deep into obscurity only to come back and win the biggest prize.
Biggsy
8th December 2024, 14:51
@fer-no65
And they won with the customer engine, in the hybrid era. Albeit, now much more mature stage of hybrid era.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
8th December 2024, 15:00
Yes that too! I forgot to mention that. I discussed it at lenght with a Mclaren fan friend of mine. I said to him there’s no way a customer team would win a title again, not even challenge for regular wins. Happy to be proved wrong!
MacLeod (@macleod)
9th December 2024, 8:22
Strange enough I always thought McLaren would made their engines themselfs (like RB) but stayed with Mercedes. I also thought in after 2012 they would go down but were saved by very rich stockholders and Honda. But Zak did bring the whole team in orde and slowly came back to the front. Well done McLaren!
Dan Rooke (@geekzilla9000)
9th December 2024, 9:48
I completely agree, I’d said bascially the same thing and I’d resigned myself to McLaren being a midfield team who would pick up scraps and get the occasional podium and perhaps a win every couple of seasons during bizarre circumstances. I’m so chuffed to be wrong about that and it stands as inspiration to other teams (looking at you, Williams).
Really pleased for everyone at McLaren, the management team there seem excellent, really engaged with fans, and also a bit of a class act compared to others.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
8th December 2024, 14:48
Well done McLaren, I hope to see an epic battle next season between RBR, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes… Just imagine!
Sumedh
8th December 2024, 14:51
Hearty congratulations to Mclaren from a Ferrari fan.
Amazing to see this team go from strength to strength right from 2019 till now (apart from the start of 2022).
And special congratulations to Stella. What a humble guy, has climbed his way to the top across teams and now a winner. Hats off.
Surreal to think that Mclaren and Alonso both are champions after their 2015-17 performances but Alonso still hasn’t tasted success.
Sumedh
8th December 2024, 14:52
Mclaren and *Honda, both are champions
roadrunner (@roadrunner)
8th December 2024, 14:57
Yes, congratulations! Great recovery over the last few years and a well deserved title. I didn’t expect them to ever be able to challenge for the front again a couple of years ago.
But next year is our year :)
Illusive (@illusive)
8th December 2024, 15:00
What a turnaround by this team, they look clearly the strongest to repeat it next year too with both championships.
Congrats McLaren!
Jere (@jerejj)
8th December 2024, 15:04
Perhaps Ferrari will end their drought next year.
RH
8th December 2024, 15:07
After 2023 start, this is basically a miracle. What a comeback.
Should be a straight fight between them and Ferrari next year. Red Bull don’t look any good.
Craig
8th December 2024, 19:17
A lot can happen between now and the first round, but I’d agree that McLaren and Ferrari are looking strongest while it’s somewhat of an unknown what state Red Bull and Mercedes will be in.
JOA20
8th December 2024, 15:26
Good job McLaren. They were able to get here from the bottom of the barrel that was the 2023 start.
Next year is looking good. McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes fighting for wins, a tight midfield with the occasional podiums, it would be the dream scenario to have this level of competitiveness for 2025.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
8th December 2024, 15:29
I’m sure the Tifosi will be sad but I think this was a victory that a lot of F1 fans can celebrate!
Ivan B (@njoydesign)
8th December 2024, 16:24
Yes, as a tiffoso I am a bit sad. But also not. Hats off, they deserved it. They really managed to recover from being a total poo poo box to the most versatile car on the grid. That is a huge feat! Honestly, of course I’d be happy if Ferrari got the title, but in the deep of my mind I’d feel that it’s not entirely fair to Maccas. And if their drivers were more consistent, the gap would’ve been even bigger. So massive props and congratulations!
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
8th December 2024, 18:21
@njoydesign you’re a good sport! I was torn between the 2 teams – Leclerc looked dejected and it would have been fantastic for Sainz to win it with Ferrari.
MichaelN
8th December 2024, 15:32
Disappointing, but a fair outcome. Ferrari wasn’t good enough, and Red Bull is a one-man outfit.
Mohammad Reza (@reza-pratama24)
8th December 2024, 15:34
That Baku Sainz- Sergio “Out of depth” Perez was the pivotal swing points moment, 15 points were gone because of Perez red mist moment and Norris getting extra two places swung across for Mclaren favour in the end…..
Alan Santo (@alanmclaren)
9th December 2024, 23:33
Although I see your point, then we can also ask what about Verstappen x Norris at Austria and Verstappen x Piastri at Abu Dhabi? Feels like much more than 15 points
John
8th December 2024, 15:36
Kind of a hollow victory. First, good job to Mcclaren.
But I think Red Bull out smarted everyone. Of all the years a team does NOT want to win the championship, it is this year. Next years’ development will be critical given they cant start the 2026 cars until Jan 1, 2025. So teams need max wind tunnel time in 2025. By telling Perez not to win races, Red Bull has maximized their development advantage. Sergio did his job this year and followed the team’s plan..He will be rewarded with a Red bull drive next year
Broke1984 (@broke1984)
8th December 2024, 16:13
2013
Broke1984 (@broke1984)
8th December 2024, 16:14
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first title with the team in 2008, then moved to Mercedes in 2014 and won six more titles.
My 2013 was to this
Ray West (@raynaud2211)
8th December 2024, 16:50
At the beginning of the season if someone would say to me that mclaren would take WCC I would laugh a lot. Amazing comeback.
Hope they can keeps this up. Then we will have a good 2025. Can’t wait for next year.
GeeMac (@geemac)
9th December 2024, 5:06
As a lifelong Williams fan it has always given me great satisfaction that Williams has more WCC than McLaren…but that’s all changed now I guess. Well done to everyone in papaya…