McLaren clinched the 2023 constructors’ championship during the exhilarating season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the team’s first title in this category since 1998. This long-awaited victory ends a 26-year title drought, a significant moment since their last championship came with top drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.
Lando Norris played a pivotal role in securing the title with a stellar performance, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc on the podium. Despite a challenging race where teammate Oscar Piastri experienced a crash on the first corner with Max Verstappen, and subsequently received a 10-second penalty for another incident, Norris’ impressive drive ensured McLaren’s championship lead was safe.
Ultimately, McLaren triumphed in the constructors’ standings by a margin of 14 points, achieving their ninth constructors’ title in their storied 58-year Formula 1 history, which positions them alongside Williams for the second-most titles, trailing only Ferrari’s 16.
The team’s resurgence was marked by an important upgrade implemented during the Miami Grand Prix, which placed both Norris and Piastri in strong contention for race victories throughout the season. Additionally, McLaren took the lead in the constructors’ championship at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in mid-September, ending Red Bull Racing’s remarkable streak of 55 races atop the standings.
Despite Norris earlier being a strong contender for the driver’s title, he was mathematically eliminated from that race two races prior during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Nevertheless, McLaren and their fans can take great pride in their championship victory, which reflects a bright future as they look to build on this success moving forward.
In summary, this championship win symbolizes a revitalization for McLaren in Formula 1, showcasing their competitive spirit and determination. It also serves as an encouraging reminder of the team’s potential to continue achieving greatness in the seasons to come.