McLaren has celebrated its landmark 1000th Formula 1 race with a spectacular commemorative demonstration at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The 2026 F1 Monaco GP sees McLaren contest its 1000th race in F1, becoming only the second team other than Ferrari to reach the landmark milestone.
First arriving in F1 in 1966 as an owner/driver operation under legendary founder Bruce McLaren, the team has one of the strongest historical pedigrees on the grid.
Since its arrival on the grid, it has racked up 10 world championships, 203 victories, 447 podiums, 177 pole positions, again only second to Ferrari in terms of success.
Reaching such a milestone requires a commemoration, and McLaren pulled out all the stops to celebrate this unique achievement.
McLaren F1 legends from past and present commemorate success in Monaco demonstration
The action started in the pit lane, as past winners from McLaren’s history made an appearance, including legends Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard and John Watson.
Fernando Alonso, who raced twice from the Woking marque, also joined current drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in front of the garage alongside F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
All were focused on the M2B, McLaren’s first F1 entry, that sat proudly on display, ready for a run.
Hakkinen then climbed into this piece of history, as the Ford V8 screamed into life, deafening onlookers, before setting off for a lap of the iconic Monaco circuit.
The car then reached the pit straight, where it sat proudly next to this year’s MCL40, showcasing modern vs the genesis of the team.
Mika climbed out to join his fellow legends in a photo lineup of excellence that in addition to the other legends present, included Emmerson Fittpaldi, Hekki Kovalinen and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Described as a “moment”, to media, it acted as a bridge between times, showcasing just how far the sport has come since McLaren took to the grid over 60 years ago.
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