McLaren

**McLaren-AMG**

## Season Results

Complete Formula One Results for McLaren (UniONE CAREER results only).

### **2014 (UniONE CAREER S1)**

McLaren entered 2014, continuing as a Mercedes customer team. With the 2014 regulation changes, McLaren took their car design in the complete opposite direction to the other 10 teams. However, the gamble didn't pay off, and McLaren would fail to win a race throughout the season.

### **2015 (UniONE CAREER S2)**

With the rise of Mercedes, Ron Dennis saw that McLaren could no longer compete for Championships as a customer team. This lead to the legendary 'McHonda' partnership. However, the Honda Power Unit would prove so be significantly off the pace of the other Power Units. McLaren would finish 9th in the Championship standings, ahead only of Manor. Fernando Alonso would claim the team's only podium of the season during a chaotic Monaco grand Prix, finishing third.

### **2016 (UniONE CAREER S3)**

Honda would improve their PU significantly for 2016, with both drivers able to compete with ease inside the top 10. The season highlight would come at Germany, with Rio Haryanto taking second - directly behind the Williams-BMW of Sebastien Buemi. McLaren would finish the season with almost 3 times the amount of points than in 2015.

### **2017 (UniONE CAREER S4)**

McLaren were expectant that Honda could build off an excellent 2016 campaign, with a highest finish of 2nd (Haryanto at Germany). However, the Honda look to have gone back to 2015, as the their Power Unit looked to be inferior once again to BMW, AMG, Ferrari, Renault and Cosworth. Haryanto even stated the car is "Dangerously slow on the straights. We're not far off 15pmh slower than the Saubers". Mugen also return to F1, for the first time since 2000, in an attempt to return McLaren to their winning ways of 1988-1993. One thing McLaren have going for them is their excellent chassis and aerodynamics, meaning on slower speed circuits, such as Monaco and Singapore, the team expect top 12 finishes. Capitalizing on the misfortune of others, Jorda and Haryanto managed to scrape together a few points finishes throughout the season. Come the end of the season, McLaren weren't able to lift themselves off of the bottom of the Constructor's table, meaning they finished last for the first time since 2007.

### **2018 (UniONE CAREER S5)**

After three unsuccessful seasons, Honda and McLaren parted ways. This left McLaren to switch to Renault Power Units. As the radical MP4-33 was heavily designed around fitting a Honda engine, there was little time for McLaren to re-design the chassis to accommodate a Renault Power Unit. McLaren were already looking to 2019, and utilizing the large payout from Honda to deliver a championship contending car.

An inspired drive from Haryanto at China would deliver McLaren their first points of 2018 with an 11th place result. Haryanto would also manage to scrape a points finish at Britain and Hungary with two 12th place finishes. Jorda would score a point at the Singapore Grand Prix, to keep McLaren ahead of Toro Rosso on merit for 9th in the Constructor's Championship. Harayanto would once again sneak a point finish with 12th at round 17 on the shortened COTA circuit, the lack of overtaking opportunities playing to the hands of the Indonesian.

### **2019 (UniONE CAREER S6)**

McLaren finally look to be on the road to recovery. Keeping with their philosophy from 2018, and ironing out the major issues. The 2018 car had way too much drag, such was the radical design of the car. The new regulations look to have worked in favour of McLaren as less aero allows for less drag. Early signs look to be promising, with both cars in the top 12 in the speed trap for the first time since testing in 2016. The chassis of the MCL34 also appears to be much improved, with both driver's average cornering speeds also in the top 12.
It wasn't just the car that saw changes, the management department saw a change at the top. After nearly 40 years at the realm, Ron Dennis steps down from McLaren, with Zak Brown taking the realm as Chief Executive Officer.

McLaren's pace would prove to be genuine. Rookie Lando Norris finishing 8th on debut to score 5 points. Better was to follow at the next race, as the team would take their first double points finishes since the 2016 season. Therefore, the team had already surpassed their season totals from 2017 and 2018 in 2 races. Round 5 at Azerbaijan would put the brakes on McLaren's momentum, as for the first time neither car finished in the points.

On return for Norris at the Spanish Grand Prix, he could only manage 15th in qualifying. Come the race however, the Brit would show unworldly pace late in the race to take 3rd place, taking advantage of one less pit stop than the drives who started in the top 10. This was McLaren's first podium since 2016.

The season was ended early, but McLaren finally look to be on the right path.

### **2020 (Season 7)**

McLaren quietly went about their business throughout testing. Once again the team look set for another decent season. Building off their 2019 success, which yielded a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, and a shock 1-3 finish at USA. The team's primary focus is still on the 2021 regulation changes, so in some ways 2020 is in some ways a throwaway season. The team did focus more on the short runs, as throughout qualifying in 2019, neither driver managed anything particularly special. This often crippled their race performances, with how close the midfield was in 2019.

The new season would start disastrously for the Woking team. Norris would put the Alfa Romeo of Josh Tirowee out of the race. Both Haryanto and Norris went on to finish the race outside the points places. His breakthrough race would come at the German Grand Prix. Haryanto started a lowly 12th, but made the most of a Safety Car to move up to 3rd. On the final lap, Haryanto managed to pass the Williams of Nicholas Latifi to steal second, and take his first podium since 2016. Norris' best result came at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Brit started outside of the top 10, Norris started on Mediums, and was able to do the race with one less stop than those in the top 10. Running in the top three for much of the race, the McLaren driver ran his own race to secure a crucial 10 points for McLaren. Despite a double points finish at the season ending Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren still finish behind Ferrari, but manage to break the 100 point barrier for the first time since 2016.

### **2021 (Season 8)**

McLaren come into 2021 with a dilemma. Originally, this year was meant to be the start of the team's new partnership with Mercedes for AMG engines. However the engine deal came too late, and with the virus situation pushing developments back even further, the arrangement has been pushed back to 2022. This means that McLaren will compete this season with an updated version of last years MCL35, therefore exploiting a loophole in the reflations regarding the chassis. If McLaren don't introduce a fully fledged 2021 challenger, they can develop a chassis to properly house the AMG Power Unit for 2021. In turn however, this means that after round one of the season, no performance upgrades can me made to the car.

McLaren will compete using the MCL35B for 2021, with the now year old Renault engines badged as Vype, a sub brand of the team's main sponsor A Better Tomorrow, owned by B.A.T. Mclaren will need to maximize results early, as the engine surely won't hold up to the other teams later into the season.

Lando Norris starts his third season with the Woking team, eager to exploit the possible potential of the car in the early rounds. He'll have to be a fast learner if he's to be on the same level as new team mate, the 2019 Champion Mick Schumacher. Many questioned why Schumcaher would leave Williams for McLaren, but Frank later revealed that no longer have sufficient funds to pay a World Champion driver since losing their BMW backing. Mick will be looking to emulate his father, and build a team back to their dominating ways of the mid 2000s.

An encouraging opening race confirmed McLaren's early season pace. Both Schumacher and Norris were able to compete at the head of the midfield. The MCL35B came alive in Round two. COTA short had been a strong circuit for McLaren, and 2021 was no different. Mick Schumacher took his first pole for the team, as the team's first in almost 10 years. Both cars were strong in the race, with only the Renault of Esteban Ocon challenging. Lando Norris eventually went on to record his first victory in F1. This was also McLaren's first win since 2012. McLaren also gained the lead of the Constructor's Championship for the first time in the V6 Turbo-Hybrid era.

Norris went from hero to zero at the next race at Mexico. On the opening lap onto the stadium section, Norris tried to make a three-wide overtake, launching over the curb, Norris lost the rear and took off the front wing of Josh Tirowee's Alfa Romeo.

Despite the shortened season, McLaren showed significant progress to finish third overall, with Norris taking the team's first win since 2012.

### **2022 (Season 9)**

McLaren were the first team to break cover, and enter the new age of Formula One. The MCL36 is the first McLaren since 2014 to bare a Mercedes-AMG Power Unit. The Papaya team were making clear ground in the recent few seasons, but early signs look as if McLaren will be in the midfield. After building cars around Renault Power Units since 2018, it will take time for the British outfit to understand their new German power. Mclaren also look to be having issues with break temperature skyrocketing. Both drivers had to run very conservatively when out on track, ultimately leading to the team completing the least mileage combined from both drivers over the three days of running.

The engine supplier may be new, but McLaren's driver lineup remains unchanged. After putting up an unexpected title challenge using a glorified 2020 car, 2019 Champion, Mick Schumacher and one time to date race winner Lando Norris look to be the dark horses again in this year's coming title race if McLaren can fast track their understanding of their car.

Norris opened McLaren's score count for the season with 12th at Australia, Round 3.

McLaren implemented a brake upgrade for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Schumacher didn't get to put them to the test, as a front brake failure sent him into Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri on lap 2 of the race. Norris scored a consecutive 12th place finish.

McLaren's best race of the season to date came at Round 5, Singapore. In changing conditions, McLaren was able to play the strategy to perfection, securing a third place finish for Lando Norris. Schumacher backed this up with a sixth place finish, to score for the first time this season.

McLaren brought a new floor upgrade to the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. The Woking outfit aims to pull clear of Toyota, and gain ground on Williams. Mick Schumacher finished 5th in FP1, ahead of both Williams. Both McLarens were in the top 5 at the end of FP3. Norris qualified 11th and Schumacher 13th, both behind Albon's Williams in 10th. Norris finished the race in 8th, with Schumacher 12th.

Norris secured McLaren's second P3 of the season at the United States Grand Prix, fully capitalizing on the misfortune of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. Mick Schumacher had arguably his strongest race of the season to date. The 2019 Champion recovered from a puncture to finish 10th. This result from the German came too little to late, as McLaren announced Oscar Piastri to partner Norris for 2023.

Norris maximized all he could from the MCL36, with two podiums and finishing ahead of the works Mercedes of Russell in 11th.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

McLaren look set for another difficult season. The new regulation that increases the height of the floor by 15mm appears to have been detrimental to the Woking outfit. A change in floor design at the Spanish Grand Prix last season brought large gains, but the concept doesn't appear to have worked as hoped with the raised floor. CEO Zak Brown is already downplaying the team's expectations until an upgrade package planned for the Azerbaijan can rectify the MCL60's shortcomings.

Lando Norris put on a charge towards the end of 2022, taking two podiums along the way. Signing a new contract through 2024, the Brit remains keen to build with McLaren. Oscar Piastri fills the seat left by Schumacher. Piastri's management were working behind the scenes, and had a preliminary deal in place with McLaren since the summer last year. After the CRB decision went in the team's favour, the Australian completed his duties in the simulator with Alpine before joining the Woking outfit to make his Grand Prix debut in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Piastri lined up on the back row for his first Grand Prix start. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Both McLarens made progress through the chaos. Piastri finished as the lead MCL60 in 13th, with Norris 14th.

McLaren's 'true' MCL60 took to the track at the Austrian Grand Prix, with the car being described as B-Spec car minus the chassis. McLaren ran strongly in FP1 with Piastri 5th on Softs, and Norris 10th on Mediums. Norris completed the top 3 in FP2, whilst Piastri struggled on long runs down in 15th. Norris was again at the sharp in final practice with 4th. Norris was the only McLaren in Q3 with 8th. Piastri couldn't get to grips with the MCL60 when it mattered and lined up only 18th. For the first time since 2020 drivers were being lapped. Piastri and Stroll were the first to go to Tirowee. Norris was on a late charge, but Alonso was never going to let a McLaren go easily and the Brit and had to settle for 6th, but it was still McLaren's best finish of the season so far.

Ralph Boschung's efforts were also noticed by McLaren, who granted the Swiss his first F1 outing during first practice for the British Grand Prix. Sette Camara was pushing for glory and climbed all over the back of Leclerc's Ferrari, before making a move stick on lap 7. The Brazilian's glory was short lived, as on lap 8 the tyre wear kicked in early once again and the TRD123 was a sitting duck for Leclerc, Norris and Tirowee. Norris sent the home crown wild when he took the lead on lap 9, with Leclerc now facing his own tyre troubles. Norris and most of the grid pit at the end of lap 12. Most boxed for Hards, whilst McLaren were risking it all for a home win and opted for Mediums. Tirowee used this opportunity to pounce on the McLaren that had to nurse the tyres early in the stint to move into the lead. Norris went on the attack on lap 24 to steal back the lead with only two laps remaining. Tirowee also had some life left in his Hards and the two-time Champion reasserted himself on the penultimate lap. Norris pushed the Red Bull all the way on the final lap, but couldn't find a way back past and had to settle for second. Tirowee held on to victory by 0.266s.

McLaren had their best combined qualifying since 2021, with Norris 5th, half a tenth quicker than Piastri 6th for the Dutch Grand Prix. It was a relatively calm start to the Dutch Grand Prix, as Tirowee controlled the pace whilst Verstappen slipped into 2nd. McLaren began to further understand the upgraded MCL60, and Piastri moved into 3rd at the end of lap 1. One lap later, the Australian moved past the defending World Champion into 2nd. Piastri's glory was short lived, as onto lap 4, Verstappen reclaimed the runner up position. At the other end of the grid, Sargant had made a good start, up to 18th, but lost ground on lap 5 to Tsunoda. McLaren played the team game, as on lap 8 Piastri allowed Norris through to challenge Verstappen for 2nd. The front runners began to pit at the end of lap 15. Home hero Verstappen had to go a lap longer was was undercut by Piastri. McLaren once again played a different strategy with Norris. The Brit ran until lap 18 to box for Hards. The Hards also weren't swithcing on for Norris in the overcast conditions, and the McLaren fell behind Gasly and Schumacher. Two laps later, Norris found himself at the mercy of Alonso. Gasly found plenty of pace on his Mediums and the Frechman demoted Piastri off the podium. The rookie fought back at the Alpine but ultimately had no answer. Norris' Hards finally came in on lap 32 and the McLaren driver moved back ahead of Alonso. Piastri had his best finish to date in 4th. Norris recovered back to 6th ahead of Alonso.

It was an extremely wet start to qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, but the sky was brightening up. Four big names were caught out in the transition from Wets to Inters at the end of Q1. The track was drying rapidly throughout Q2, but Inters was still the way to go. The track was just about dry enough at the end of Q3 for Softs, with last over the line having the best track conditions. Piastri lined up lead McLaren in 8th, with Norris 9th. Changeable conditions returned for the race. All 20 drivers survived the opening lap without damage. The red flag was out on lap 5, as Carlos Sainz's day ended early, and Liam Lawson collected the Ferrari in the process. By the time the AlphaTauri and Ferrari had been cleared away, the sun was out and the track was dry. 17/18 remaining drivers were on Drys. Toyota made a catastrophic error and fitted the Brazilian's TRD123 with Inters. The skies began to darken once more by lap 18. Two laps later, the Heavens opened and it was time for Inters once more. In a desperate bid to regain lost track position, Albon and Norris attempted another lap on Drys, which would only drop the pair further behind. Schumacher brought out a second red flag on lap 29, when the German had an identical crash to Sainz.

It was a four lap sprint to the end on Full Wets. The pressure of a resurgent Piastri could've been getting to Norris, as the one time race winner plowed into the back of Leclerc at the hairpin, and had to box with damage. Oscar Piastri secured his first podium finish, with 2nd. This result also moved McLaren ahead of Williams in the Constructor's to 7th, despite Sargeant finishing 4th.

Norris put the lap together to secure pole for the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen. Verstappen stole the lead from Norris, whilst Tirowee moved up to 5th. Schumacher started on Softs and needed to make moves quickly. Williams suffered another mechanical retirement, but this time to Logan Sargeant's car. The Safety Car was deployed, allowing the FW45 to be cleared. Norris lead back to green at the end of lap 7. Norris had a comfortable lead over team mate Piastri on lap 14, but a rear right suspension failure forced the Brit to retire. It's not the first time a McLaren looked odds on for victory before it all went wrong. The one-stoppers that were on Mediums began to pit at the end of lap 16 for Hards. Tirowee ran to the end of lap 19 for Softs to chase down Piastri on Hards. This race was one for the history books, as Oscar Piastri became a rookie winner at his 13th attempt. He became the first driver to win in their debut season since Mick Schumacher in 2017. A faultless drive and a bit of luck secured the Aussie his first victory three seconds ahead of Tirowee.

F1's newest race winner, Oscar Piastri proved very popular with the media as the teams rocked into Singapore. Norris took over where Red Bull left off to top FP1 from Piastri and Schumacher. Norris was again the form driver in FP2 from Hamilton and Schumacher. Norris secured an easy 5 points with pole over six tenths to Piastri. The final Wildcard race of the season started dry, but rain was projected later on. A traditional lightning start from Alonso saw the Spaniard in the lead by turn 2. Alonso was pulling clear on lap 5, until a loss of hydraulic pressure in the AMG Power Unit forced the four-time Champion to retire from the race just as the rain began to fall. Most drivers pit for Inters at the end of lap 5, whilst Lawson and Hamilton went on for another lap, looking to gain positions by avoiding the crowded pitlane. Neither driver would get the chance to make a stop as Albon crashed heavily and brought out the red flag. The rain only got heavier during the race stoppage. 17/19 drivers opted to restart on Full Wets, whilst Lawson and Hamilton gambled with the Inters. The McLarens swarmed Hamilton at the restart, whilst Lawson kept his composure to lead a lap for the first time in his career. This second gamble didn't pay off as the New Zealander pit at the end of lap 8 for Wets, along with Hamilton. Norris retook the lead from Schumacher and Tsunoda. Despite the tricky track conditions, there was a few laps of calm until Magnussen pit at the end of lap 18 for Inters. At the end of the next lap, nearly every other driver also made the change. The Dane gained a handful of places with the undercut. Piastri, Zhou and Sainz tried to do something different and stay out on Wets, but all 3 had to admit defeat at the end of lap 21 and also pit for Inters. Conditions aside, Norris had it easy to dominate around the Marina Bay to take the victory by over 11 seconds from Schumacher. Piastri's gamble didn't pay off, and he dropped to 6th.

## Racing Record (UniONE CAREER Results Only)

Results in **bold**, indicate championships won.