We love the States. Our history in America is long and illustrious, and we’ve got a trophy cabinet full of silverware to prove it, but on Sunday in Florida, we endured a race to forget.  

Our founder, Bruce McLaren, took his very first Formula 1 victory at Florida’s Sebring International Raceway in 1959, but the 2023 Miami Grand Prix won’t be added to the McLaren history books anytime soon.  

After a disappointing qualifying session, neither Lando nor Oscar could make up any ground in the grand prix, with the former getting hit from behind by Nyck de Vries on the opening lap and the latter suffering from mechanical gremlins.    

Up until that point, it had been an energetic and entertaining weekend as the Papaya Army adopted the vibrant Miami spirit, soaking up the atmosphere of the Magic City and all it had to offer. It hurts that the on-track action couldn’t match up to the off-track activity, but rest assured, we’re putting all of our efforts into changing that.  

As the team get stuck into making improvements to the MCL60 at the McLaren Technology Centre, we’ll let you relive the less frustrating parts of the weekend through social media, because as disappointed as we were with the results, your support was as superb as ever and it deserves to be recognised.  

We started with a blast from the past, looking through our illustrious history in the United States.  

McLAREN in USA 🇺🇸
⭐️ Watkins Glen
⭐️ Long Beach
⭐️ Detroit
⭐️ Phoenix #mclarenF1 #FansLikeNoOther #mclaren60 #BruceMcLaren #f1 #f1legend #mclarenhistory pic.twitter.com/EPO0nGH8bl

— Tony HANKIN (@OneEyesOfRacing) May 4, 2023

Great work, @Kelly_gro5114. Keep it up!  

Day 3 and 4 of 100 miles in May (forgot to post my walk yesterday 🙈) had some cows for company 🐄

5.7 miles walked over the last 2 days @McLarenF1 #mclarenmerch #100milesinmay #FansLikeNoOther #mclarenF1 pic.twitter.com/MZbvsPyF9c

— Kellbell F1 (@kelly_gro5114) May 4, 2023

The Miami vibe was strong with this one.  

Miami vibe 🏝 #MiamiGrandPrix🇺🇸 @McLarenF1 #FansLikeNoOther🧡 pic.twitter.com/3TEsA0WO7C

— Michel Reynier (@michel_reynier) May 4, 2023

Miami ready! Painted my nails to match the trainers! It’s race weekend, let’s go team! @McLarenF1 #MiamiGP #FansLikeNoOther #LN4 #OP81 pic.twitter.com/B5EL0WBgDZ

— Gemma - Papaya Forever!!! (@GBrown84) May 5, 2023

🎶 Party in the city where the heat is on 🎶

Welcome to Miami, Lando & Oscar are bringing the papaya power to the Miami marina! 🏝️🇺🇸

The #McNailArtChallenge has landed in the home of the Miami dolphins at @HardRockStadium 🐬🧡@MclarenF1 #MclarenCreators #FansLikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/2oUeudHdeD

— Leela 🧡🤘🏻🏎🎶 (@leighlarlar) May 4, 2023

How time flies.  

9️⃣ years ago I received my new @McLarenF1 @TeamMcLaren membership!

Still treasured to this day 🧡#McLaren60 #FansLikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/g4odsgXr5s

— Simon Brooks (@SimonGBrooks) May 3, 2023

Awesome work!  

Excited for Miami🏀💕 Lesgooo team! 🤘🧡 So pleased of how this poster turned out 💕 #fanslikenoother #mclarencreators #ln4 #mclaren #miamigp pic.twitter.com/yoxWSGpoeQ

— Anda (@Andamh_) May 3, 2023

Nothing like stepping into the weekend with fresh McLaren kicks.  

Im in love with these @McLarenF1 @KSWISS trainers 😍🔥 #FansLikeNoOther #mclaren pic.twitter.com/NupH9l9Op1

— Laurabarr40 (@laurabarr39) May 5, 2023

Beach vibes in Brands Hatch. You just need the weather to match the outfit.  

Getting my Miami on at @Brands_Hatch! Showing my support for my team @McLarenF1. Good luck for Practice today! #FansLikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/4sl0Zsz3zt

— Nikki 🧡 (@life_of_niksi) May 5, 2023

Hmmmm, we wonder… 

@McLarenF1 it’s finally @f1miami weekend!!!! I wonder who we will be repping :) #FansLikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/8rUnecuF1m

— Chris (@topher967) May 5, 2023

What were you waiting for? FP1 was about to start!  

All ready to race @McLarenF1 if you need me. #fanslikenoother #99 #BelieveInMcLaren #HillsboroughForestparkrun #Coronation2023 pic.twitter.com/N8vnS273TW

— Sarah (@smceneaneyirl) May 6, 2023

Sneaky! But surely no boss would be so cruel as to deny you the privilege of wearing McLaren? Try asking nicely and giving them puppy dog eyes…  

Zoom workshop on the schedule today, but sneakily supporting @McLarenF1 off camera on quali day!!! 😂 let’s have a good one team 🧡 #FansLikeNoOther #MiamiGP #ForeverForward #MultiTasking #CousinItIsThatYou pic.twitter.com/D7USLOaV3C

— Ashley K (@Mrsklipp) May 6, 2023

It’s close enough for us! Orange chicken would have also sufficed.  

Date night - on a race weekend…

Sweet potato fries was as close to papaya coloured as we could get! Good luck in quali team 🧡 @McLarenF1 🧡#FansLikeNoOther #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/65eLAiVlt8

— Aimee J (@Aimee_J_) May 6, 2023

More Miami vibes. Fresh fits, team.  

‘We’re Going To Miami’ #Raceday for the #MiamiGP go @McLarenF1 I Believe 🧡🏎️🇺🇸🏎️🧡 #FansLikeNoOther #LN4 #OP81 pic.twitter.com/kekUalbpFd

— Nathan🟠🏎🟠 (@Nathanings) May 7, 2023

Miami mood today to cheer on @McLarenF1! 😎🌴☀️🧡 Wishing the team, @LandoNorris & @OscarPiastri all the best in today’s #MiamiGP as we look to bounce back from a tough qualifying.

GOOD LUCK! 👊🏻 #FansLikeNoOther #ForeverForward #McLaren60 #BelieveInMcLaren pic.twitter.com/ECcezYJ15m

— Simon Brooks (@SimonGBrooks) May 7, 2023

We can’t. This is too cute!  

Two kids with a dream. Go well at your home GP mate 👊#OP81 #RoadToF1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/SAIDq8Fm5O

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) May 4, 2023

What ball shaped lid should Lando don next?  

Ball is life 🏖️ pic.twitter.com/mxJWb0fL1J

— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) May 4, 2023

Battle of the office views. 

Office views 👀 pic.twitter.com/gB5Hg5c6Iq

— Liam Hayne (@LHayneTweets) May 4, 2023

Who else desperately wants a hot lap with Oscar?  

I’d just love this! Burning rubber with Oscar!

— Sarah Merritt (@Sareyware) May 4, 2023

Next up in the Fast and Furious franchise: Fast 10: Your seatbelt.  

Lando's turn next, joined by @TheFastSaga star, @MRodOfficial as his special passenger! 🙌#MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/xAjDOjGWpL

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 4, 2023

Fun fact: That is actually a regular sized helmet. Vin Diesel just has really big hands.  

Family. @VinDiesel and @OscarPiastri is the duo you weren’t expecting this weekend. 🤣

And we are HERE for the Vin ENERGY!#MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/D3u9nemG7P

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 4, 2023

Happy birthday, Pato!  

happy birthday pato 😁pic.twitter.com/1gL8pv3pSH

— colin chapman 🍞 (@skylinegp) May 6, 2023

New challenge for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Who can show us the coolest setting to watch the race?   

Ón my sofa, in my pyjamas, with a drink in my hand. Here's to Sunday evening races on a bank holiday weekend 🥂

— JenGo 🧡 #BelieveInMcLaren (@Jengo37) May 7, 2023

Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦

— Ziyaad Mohomed (@Ziyaggy) May 7, 2023

Sunny Mexico 🌴🌵☀️

— @dentalounge (@dentalounge) May 7, 2023

AUSTRALIA GO LANDOO 🧡🧡🧡

— hayley (@hayleyyy_a_) May 7, 2023

I'm at Silverstone today. pic.twitter.com/vFhnccDkrD

— Alan Sabatino (@AlanSabatino) May 7, 2023

From the Beach Grandstands at the track!!! Anyway the admin can help two massive McLaren fans get our Podium hats signed today??? :)) pic.twitter.com/vHv5KdJZeH

— Chris (@topher967) May 7, 2023

From the beach in Esenköy, Türkiye 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/7D3HsopXgR

— Liam Hayne (@LHayneTweets) May 7, 2023

We hope you had a McLaren tee on underneath your uniform, @gabsf127…  

At the family grandstand 👀 I’m working there 🧡 I would love to work with you at the paddok next year 🧡 Good luck today Team! I can’t use my McLaren t-shirt because I have to use my uniform 🥺

— gabs (@gabsf127) May 7, 2023

The race was painful, and we all know it wasn’t good enough, so we’ll avoid going over old ground, but thank you all for sticking with us. Your support means everything.  

Regardless of the results, we know @LandoNorris @OscarPiastri and everyone at @McLarenF1 is giving everything 110%! Best of luck with the race today, will be tough but we still #BelieveInMcLaren #ForeverForward #FansLikeNoOther 💪🧡💪🧡 pic.twitter.com/C76Swnp1xE

— Perry Brown (@PerryBrownF1) May 7, 2023

Imola should be a better circuit for us. Keep pushing! 🧡👊

— Kenny Geauvreau (@BonzoKEN) May 8, 2023

You’ll get there - and we’ll be behind you on the journey! 🧡#BelieveInMcLaren pic.twitter.com/zpsDpuAlig

— Aimee J (@Aimee_J_) May 8, 2023

Least we getting new people in which is a good thing , hopefully next years car is a big step forward. We have suffered for along time now , so I’m hopeful with these changes coming into McLaren it really helps move us forward 🤞🧡

— Richard (@Richard_D80) May 8, 2023

A week of hard work awaits, and then we’re back at Imola where we’ll need more of the same energy. Keep the faith, Papaya Army – together, we’ll come out the other side stronger for these experiences.