McLaren
With 164 grand prix wins, McLaren is the second-most
successful team in Formula 1 history. Based at an imposing, ultra high-tech HQ
in Woking, England, it’s the epitome of modern F1: heavily structured, and
obsessed with detail. Sometimes McLaren is too conservative, occasionally it
overcomplicates, but invariably it’s at the front challenging for victory.
The
team’s partnership with Mercedes stretches back to 1998, but, somewhat
surprisingly, Hamilton’s 2008 drivers’ title was the team’s first since 1999.
This long wait over, Ron Dennis – team boss since 1981 – stepped aside to allow
long-time McLaren employee Martin Whitmarsh to take the reins.
A difficult
first half of the 2009 season was a baptism of fire, but McLaren’s fightback
highlighted its strength in depth. It was certainly enough to attract the focus
of reigning drivers’ champion Jenson Button, who joins Hamilton at McLaren this
year to make a double title winning line-up.
Stats to start of 2010
Chassis: McLaren MP4-25
Engine: Mercedes-Benz
Race Wins: 164
First GP: 1966
Drivers’ championships: 12
Constructors’ championships: 8
World Championship Points: 3310.5
The drivers