McLaren In Monte Carlo: A Sign of Rebirth

The country of Monaco is renowned as a hub for international investment, billionaire yacht parties, and luxury car sightings. It’s also synonymous with one of Formula 1 (F1)’s most significant events: the Monaco Grand Prix—widely considered one of F1’s most important and prestigious races. Each May, drivers line up on the start line in Monte Carlo, ready to race one of the world's most challenging routes. Characterized by narrow, tight turns and a lack of overtaking opportunities, this track is truly a test of skill and craftsmanship for drivers and cars alike. 

While the Monaco Grand Prix has long been linked to legends like Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher, a new chapter is being written in its history. McLaren, a name that once used to be etched into the circuit of the race, had fallen off its high pedestal through a series of bad investments and lackluster performances. Now, it is reasserting itself at the top of F1 racing. With new investment strategies, changed leadership, and the emergence of promising stars like the most recent Monaco Grand Prix winner, Lando Norris, McLaren is regaining their old glory in Monaco—and in F1. 

The Monaco Grand Prix was first held on April 14, 1929, organized by Anthony Noghés with support from Prince Louis II of Monaco and the Automobile Club de Monaco. Its original purpose was to elevate Monaco’s status in the motorsport world and strengthen the country’s connection to a Grand Prix event. Held on the narrow, winding streets of Monte Carlo, it remains as one of F1’s few true street circuits. For Ayrton Senna, it became his signature stage—especially during his dominant years with McLaren in the late 1980s and early 1990s. McLaren, a team deeply tied to the history of this race, added to its legacy with a victory this year—bringing their total to a record of 16 wins, more than any other team. 

However, these years of historic dominance at the top level soon came to a plateau. In 2015, McLaren rejoined a partnership with Honda, aiming to push their success further with the help of Honda’s engines. Instead, this relationship spiraled the team into one of its darkest periods yet, plagued by lackluster engines, persistent retirements, and disappointing race results. The Honda engines that McLaren racers used were notoriously unreliable and poor in performance. During Honda’s home race in the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix, driver Fernando Alonso famously voiced his frustration with the Honda engines on team radio, exclaiming to his engineer, “It feels like GP2. Embarrassing. Very embarrassing,” as he was overtaken by the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson. This infamous moment, broadcasted live, showed the first signs of Honda and McLaren’s fractured bond. It also didn’t help that during the time of their partnership, McLaren was cycling through team managers, including CEOs Martin Whitmarsh and Ron Dennis as well as engineer Eric Boullier. By September 2017, McLaren ceased its partnership with Honda amidst horrid performances in both the drivers and constructors’ championships. It marked an unimaginable low for one of F1’s greatest teams. 

 McLaren’s rebirth started with the induction of CEO Zak Brown, who led a robust rebuild of the team and its values. After ending its relationship with Honda, McLaren switched to Renault engines and hired Andreas Seidl as Team Principal and James Key as Technical Director. Brown prioritized a long-term strategy and looked to bring in youth in the form of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of whom sit first and second in the F1 drivers championship standings, respectively. These rookie talents, paired with the new MCL60 engine’s aerodynamic improvements, have helped put McLaren back as a podium contender in every race.

As McLaren began their rise to prominence, their young and talented British driver Lando Norris contributed to the team’s growing success with a victory at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix. Since his debut in 2019, he has steadily built a reputation for both skill and consistency, and this victory became a major milestone in his career. Monaco demands flawless focus, patience, and great technique, and it’s not uncommon for drivers to crash during the intense race. In the face of this challenge, Norris delivered a strong performance as he handled Monaco’s tight streets and tough corners while going up against experienced rivals like Charles Leclerc and his own teammate, Oscar Piastri. He stayed calm during key moments, including safety car restarts and strategic pit stops, showing just how much his racecraft has matured since his debut. That focus was clear even before race day; Norris set a record-breaking lap time of 1:09.954 in qualifying, becoming the first driver to ever go under the 1:10 mark at Monaco. “I think Lando kept the high standards, the quality of execution, and the lucidity that he had throughout the weekend. He was faster from Lap 1 in FP1, and he kept building to capitalize on a pole position,” McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella said to the media after the race.

The Monaco Grand Prix is where legends are made, and in 2025, McLaren reminded the world why they belong amongst their ranks. Lando Norris’s brilliant win, backed by a record-breaking qualifying lap, served as a turning point for McLaren’s trajectory. After years in the shadows, McLaren has reemerged, and their performance at Monte Carlo has proved they are climbing back to the top. With their status rising and momentum building, McLaren looks ready for consistent wins and even a real title push. In a sport driven by precision and passion, McLaren’s Monaco momentum might be more than just a win—it could be the rebirth of a giant.