McLaren: The Reigning Champions Eyeing a Historic Three-Peat in 2026

WOKING, 21 January 2026 – From the depths of a midfield struggle just three years ago to the pinnacle of global motorsport, McLaren Racing’s story is one of the most remarkable comebacks in Formula 1 history. As the 2026 season dawns with a new set of technical regulations, the Woking-based squad enters as the undisputed benchmark, having secured back-to-back Constructors’ World Championships and, in 2025, their first Drivers’ title in 17 years with Lando Norris.

A Dynasty Reborn: Dominance in 2024 & 2025

The foundations for this modern era of success were laid in 2023 with a radical technical restructure. Under the leadership of Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, McLaren poached top talent like Rob Marshall from Red Bull and empowered a new technical department. The result was a meteoric rise. The MCL38 car of 2024 ended a 26-year wait for a Constructors’ crown, with Norris finishing runner-up in the Drivers’ standings.

In 2025, the team elevated its performance further. The MCL39, overseen by Marshall, proved to be the class of the field for much of the season. McLaren wrapped up their tenth Constructors’ Championship with six races to spare in Singapore, while a season-long duel between Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri was ultimately decided in Norris’s favour, crowning him Britain’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

McLaren F1: Key Facts & Statistics

The Pillars of Success: Leadership & Technical Brilliance

The team’s revival is attributed to a perfect alignment of leadership, technical innovation, and driver talent. Andrea Stella’s calm, methodical approach has instilled a high-performance culture, while Zak Brown’s commercial acumen has secured vital partnerships and stability. The technical department, featuring Peter Prodromou (Aerodynamics), Neil Houldey (Engineering), and Rob Marshall (Chief Designer), is now regarded as one of the strongest in the sport.

This strength in depth is seen as McLaren’s greatest asset heading into the regulatory reset of 2026. “The working way, the standards, the approach… they do carry into the future,” Stella stated recently, expressing confidence that the team’s core competencies will translate to the new era.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Challenge

The task for McLaren is now one of sustained excellence. With new chassis and power unit regulations for 2026, the entire grid has a chance to reset. However, the reigning champions believe their systemic strengths – from their state-of-the-art wind tunnel to a cohesive driver pairing in Norris and Piastri – leave them well-placed to defend their titles.

Norris will carry the number 1 on his car for the first time, while Piastri, having pushed his team-mate to the final round in 2025, is determined to claim his maiden crown. The internal rivalry remains a key source of performance, managed under the team’s collaborative “papaya rules”.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did McLaren last win the Drivers’ Championship before 2025?

Prior to Lando Norris’s title in 2025, McLaren’s last Drivers’ Champion was Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

Who are McLaren’s drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season?

McLaren will retain an unchanged line-up for the fourth consecutive season, with reigning world champion Lando Norris partnered by Australian Oscar Piastri.

How many Constructors’ Championships has McLaren won?

McLaren has won 10 Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championships. Their most recent successes came in 2024 and 2025, ending a drought that stretched back to 1998.

What is the key to McLaren’s recent turnaround in form?

The turnaround is credited to a major technical restructure in early 2023, the recruitment of senior engineers like Rob Marshall, the leadership of Andrea Stella, and significant investment in facilities, all of which transformed car performance from the midfield to the front of the grid within 18 months.