A review of McLaren's story from the start of the turbo-hybrid era. [Credits: X/ McLaren F1]

McLaren F1- From Rock Bottom to Top of The Table!

An in-depth analysis of McLaren's redemption in Formula 1

A review of McLaren's story from the start of the turbo-hybrid era. [Credits: X/ McLaren F1]

McLaren F1 has a faced a lot in the recent years in Formula 1 history. Their team was rendered almost incompetitive for the majority of the turbo-hybrid era. It was the duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who finally managed to bring McLaren to the front row again. McLaren were once struggling to earn points in F1. The victories and podium finishes seemed nearly impossible for them,

A new record for the papaya team 🧡#McLaren pic.twitter.com/Y2gBKyJw5q
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 24, 2025

For a team with a history as rich as McLaren F1 and its caliber, they were not able to justify their presence in Formula 1 as a top competitor. They won their last driver’s championship in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton. After Hamilton left the team, the entire McLaren camp went into a disarray. They added Fernando Alonso back to their roster in 2015 but to no avail. Almost every F1 fans remembers Nando’s outrage with McLaren and the slow, unreliable Honda power units they used.

Also Read: Williams F1 Claim Their Best Season Start in Nine Years!

The 2025 season has been an absolute game changer for McLaren. It has changed the status of the team from a lost world champion to a front row contender. However, McLaren’s history in the turbo-hybrid era hasn’t been easy. Their success in the recent years is an inspiring story. Read ahead to know about McLaren’s fall from grace and rise to the top as we journey through their last decade in F1.

McLaren F1- Downfall in Turbo-Hybrid Era

McLaren F1 was once considered among the best teams of F1. They had won the 2008 driver’s championship with Lewis Hamilton and were consistently competing in the front row until 2012. In fact, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Mercedes was considered a disaster because of how successful he was at McLaren. After Lewis left the team in 2013, McLaren dropped in standings to fifth position. They still had a strong driver pairing with world champion, Jenson Button to lead the way.

“GP2 Engine” – Fernando Alonso

Japan – 2015#F1 pic.twitter.com/ep7ydbrLSV
— F1 History (@TodayF1History) April 6, 2024

But, the 2015 season was an absolute disaster for the team. Fernando Alonso had a controversial history with McLaren. He was engaged is a cutthroat fight with Hamilton during the 2007 F1 championship. The infighting in McLaren that year, went down as the worst year for the team. They lost the driver’s championship by one point. The Papaya team was also kicked out of constructor’s championship for cheating allegations.

Nando’s return to the team was extremely controversial. McLaren was the second worst team on the grid finishing 9th in points. For three whole seasons, McLaren was diabolicaly slow compared to other teams. The Honda power unit was branded as underpowered and exceptionally worst. To top it off, they faced a lot of criticism from Fernando Alonso.

Also Read: How Did Lewis Hamilton Silently Assist Ferrari’s First Podium?

Alonso completes a lap, but is slowest of all. Alonso: "The engine feels good, much slower than before. Amazing." pic.twitter.com/PlYOmTo7iY
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 12, 2017

Reclaiming the Podiums- McLaren F1 Finish 1-2 After a Decade

In 2019, McLaren hired two young drivers without any front row or world championship experience. Lando Norris, a part of the McLaren Junior Driver Programme was a rookie. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz was previously racing at Toro Rosso. But, to everyone’s surprise the duo handled McLaren quite well. McLaren was able to join the front row once again, with Mercedes engines powering their car.

The Woking based outfit finished fourth and third in 2019 and 2020. Carlos Sainz Jr. even came close to winning the Italian Grand Prix in 2020. In 2021, Sainz departed for Ferrari. He was replaced by Red Bull prodigy Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo gave McLaren a dream finish in Italy. He went on to win the Italian Grand Prix in 2021 ahead of Lando Norris. It was their first 1-2 finish in F1 since 2010. The upcoming seasons were shaky for McLaren.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐛. 🇮🇹#ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/c63FAYJE41
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 12, 2021

Daniel Ricciardo was unable to improve compared to his teammate, Lando Norris. Ricciardo was dropped in favor of Oscar Piastri. Piastri’s move to McLaren was equally controversial with a lawsuit from Alpine F1. McLaren lost a lot of money to compensate Ricciardo for terminating his contract. The start of the 2023 season was horrifying for the team.

2023 Formula 1 Season- Turn the Tables on Them

Until the summer break, McLaren was fairly incompetitive at the start of the ground-effects era. The new cars were underperforming badly for both drivers. But, Silverstone 2022 brought a radical change in the team. They went on to secure an array of podium finishes. Oscar Piastri’s performance was the cherry on the cake for the team. Piastri became the second best rookie in the history of Formula 1, securing the most points in his debut season, after Lewis Hamilton did in 2007 for McLaren.

McLAREN CLINCH THEIR FIRST CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE 21ST CENTURY! 🏆

What an achievement, what a season! 🧡#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/e9Yyd6pcXo
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 8, 2024

In 2024, McLaren also managed to defeat Red Bull by winning the constructor’s championship. They secured five wins throughout the season as Piastri and Lando secured the first wins of their career. As of April 2025, McLaren lead the constructor’s championship and driver’s championship with a significant margin.

Their drivers are the fan favorites for winning the championship. It’s obvious that they have the fastest car on the grid currently, which can easily outclass opponents with the right track position.

Carlos Sainz Jr.

Fernando Alonso

Formula 1

Formula 1 2025 Season

Jenson Button

Lando Norris

Lewis Hamilton

McLaren F1

Oscar Piastri

Sergio Perez

Rohan Singh

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I work as a Writer at The Playoffs specialising in NHL, Formula 1 and Motorsports. I got into online journalism a couple of years ago. I used to be an intern for a website managing their Formula 1 content and then I served an entire year as a contractual writer.