McLaren's 1000th GP: 'Dad would be absolutely delighted'

Thursday, 4 June 2026

New Zealand Bruce McLaren died while testing one of his cars at the Goodwood Circuit in England. He was 32.

McLaren's 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco this weekend is more than a milestone. It is a moment of reflection on a legacy that began with a young New Zealander who never lived to see how far his name would go.

For Bruce McLaren's daughter Amanda McLaren, the achievement is deeply personal.

The pair were racing in the rural rumble challenge but where no match for 'Mad' Mike Whiddett.

'To still be going today, and the global phenomenon that it is, Dad would be absolutely delighted that the name has never changed. He'd be so proud,' she told RNZ.

The milestone race brings McLaren back to where its Formula 1 journey began. Monaco was the scene of the team's debut in 1966, a modest and difficult start to what would become one of the great stories in motorsport.

McLaren is now one of the most successful and recognisable names in the sport, but its New Zealand identity is often distilled into a small kiwi emblem on its cars and uniforms.

'The links are there, but we are not a New Zealand team,' Amanda McLaren explained, pointing out her father registered the company in Britain.

A bronze statue of Bruce McLaren marks the entrance to the team's HQ in Woking, England.

Even so, the New Zealand driver, engineer and founder of the McLaren team, who died aged just 32 while testing one of his cars at the Goodwood Circuit in England, is remembered as a pioneer who helped shape Formula 1 itself.

McLaren returns to Monaco 60 years on

Monaco was also where McLaren's Formula 1 story began.

'I rather think we expected bells to ring and trumpets to blow,' Bruce McLaren once said of the team's debut. 'But 22 May came and went just like any other day.'

'It was Monaco, our first Grand Prix with our first F1 car, and it was a day we had been aiming at for nearly a year.'

The reality was far from celebratory. McLaren retired after just 10 laps, one of nine drivers who failed to finish-including fellow Kiwi Denny Hulme. Jackie Stewart won the race.

Amanda McLaren, daughter of Bruce McLaren, with Bruce McLaren Village resident Julian Williams.

McLaren missed the next two rounds before finishing sixth at the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.

But progress came quickly. The team claimed its first Grand Prix victory at Spa-Francorchamps in 1968, only five years after its founding.

McLaren still going strong

McLaren is one of the longest-running teams in Formula 1, second only to Ferrari-the 'red team,' as Amanda McLaren jokingly calls them, or 'the F word'.

Bruce McLaren led the company until his death in 1970, after which leadership passed through Teddy Mayer and later Ron Dennis. Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding Company became full owner in 2024, but the McLaren name has remained unchanged throughout.

Amanda McLaren said she and her mother will always be grateful that when Ron Dennis took over in 1981, he chose to preserve the McLaren name.

Today, Amanda McLaren runs the Bruce McLaren Trust with her husband, helping maintain and promote her father's legacy in motorsport and engineering.

For New Zealand fans, that legacy is still visible in the 'speedy kiwi' emblem that appears on McLaren's cars and team apparel - a small but enduring link to the team's origins.

McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown has been instrumental in maintaining that connection. Amanda McLaren said his respect for the team's history has ensured her father's contribution is still recognised.

'Zak is absolutely passionate about history and historic racing, and he appreciates the contribution that others have made. The impact my father made is recognised,' she said.

Brown is also a patron of the Bruce McLaren Trust, which supports scholarships and internships for engineering students from the University of Auckland to travel to McLaren Automotive in the United Kingdom.

Amanda McLaren said further initiatives are in development.

Bruce McLaren

Born in Auckland 1937
Died at Goodwich Circuit, England 1970 (age 32)
Competed in Formula 1 for 13 seasons winning four Grands Prix and finished second in the 1960 Drivers' Championship behind Jack Brabham.
He founded Bruce McLaren Motor Racing in 1963 with the team first competing in Formula 1 in 1966.
McLaren won their first Formula 1 race at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix.
He was killed while testing one of his cars.

McLaren F1:

First Grand Prix was the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix
Ten Constructors' Championships 1974, 84, 85, 88, 89, 90, 91, 98, 04, 25.
Thirteen Driver's Championships: 1974, 76, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 98, 99, 08, 25.
Race victories: 203.
Drivers included: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen and Lando Norris all won championships with McLaren.
Others drivers include Emerson Fittipaldi, Nike Lauda, Kimi Raikkonen and Oscar Piastri.