The McLaren team have been racing in F1 since 1966 and since then have taken 183 wins, 155 pole positions, 8 constructors championships and helped drivers achieve 12 drivers championships. 

 

The 2021 Italian Grand Prix brought many dramatic twists and turns with championship rivals Vertsappen and Hamilton crashing out on the 25th lap and three other DNF’s. However the star of the show was Woking based team McLaren Mercedes. 

 

McLaren had a quiet start to the season with new signing Daniel Riccardo struggling to adjust to the complex car. Their first driver Lando Norris is a promising young star with three podiums in 2021 before the magic in Monza. 

 

Their spectacular weekend started slightly subdued with Riccardo ninth and Norris twelfth in Free Practice 1. The new sprint qualifying format provided an opportunity for both drivers qualifying fourth and fifth before the sprint race. After the second sprint qualifying of the season and an engine penalty from Mercedes driver Valterri Bottas, Riccardo would be starting on the front row, behind pole-sitter and ex-teammate Max Verstappen. Norris would start just behind him in third. 

 

On the 12th of September 2:10 BST the race started, a dramatic drive into turn 1 left Riccardo leading the race and Norris in third. After quick pit-stops, tactical execution and an exceptional drive from both drivers, McLaren crossed the line as the first 1-2 of the season. Bringing home to Woking, Surrey McLaren’s first victory since 2012, Riccardio’s first win since 2018 and Norris’ highest finish in an F1 race. 

 

The podium would not have been complete without the famous ‘shoey’ from Riccardo, and a regretful Norris also took part, as well as McLaren racing CEO Zak Brown who joined his drivers on the podium. 

 

After a glorious weekend the drivers were greeted by their colleagues at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking, Surrey. Their trophies were placed at home in the center, Riccardo having the opportunity to place his next to idol Aryton Senna’s.