Read time: 9.5 minutes

“We have made history”, bellows Andrea Stella upon his return to the McLaren factory, speaking to those who made our Constructors’ Championship happen. Just days earlier, alongside CEO Zak Brown, he’d led the toasts to our triumph at the track, whilst many others partied back home in the UK, from their homes, in pubs and at the factory.

By the time Andrea and the rest of the travelling team had made their way back to Woking, the factory had undergone a papaya-coloured ‘Constructors’ Champions’-themed makeover inside and out.

Andrea had returned to take his customary post-race debrief, where he walks the team through the recent races, looking at what went well, what didn’t and what can be learned, all of which took the team back to the nerves they’d felt on what was – for many – the most intense race day of their careers to date.

Whether working or watching for fun, every single member of the 1000 had played a major role, as Andrea, Zak, Lando and Oscar have been keen to stress. Championship-winning race cars don’t get to the track if they’re not funded, designed, produced or built.

The debrief was capped off with photographs of the papaya-clad team and a rendition of Queen’s 'We Are The Champions'. After which, we made our way around the crowd to ask our team where they watched the race from and how it felt. Here’s what they had to say…

Luke
Specialist, Trackside IT Infrastructure Engineer

I was in the garage at the race, watching it on the screens. Words cannot describe the feeling. It was insane to be there. To be honest, I don’t think any of us could actually believe that it had happened, especially after such a stressful race. The videos don’t do it justice. The garage was rammed full of the people and the atmosphere was something I've never experienced before. Being back at the factory today, I’m off and wasn’t actually meant to be here, but I couldn’t miss this. It’s been the perfect way to end it all, celebrating with the whole team back.

Emma
Senior Manager, People Partner

I was at home with my husband and my dog. I was watching the race with my hands over my eyes pretty much the whole time. It was a relief when we won, but also very, very exciting. It was tense in my household until Lando crossed the finish line. Now that the tension has gone, I feel like all of the positive stuff can come out. The season has been such a rollercoaster. It’s been up and down, and we never wanted to get ahead of ourselves. I was cautiously optimistic. We did a very, very good job.

Georgia
Specialist, Brand Partner Planning

I just watched it at home with my boyfriend from behind a blanket due to stress. This season has been amazing. It's been long and full of ups and downs, but really good fun.

Hailey
Senior Specialist, Partner Talent Programmes

I watched the race at a pub in Clapham Junction with a number of folks from the Engineering team. It was amazing when Lando crossed the finish line. I have to say, I echo Zak's sentiments: it was the worst two hours of the whole season! It was really brutal to watch. I think everybody in the pub was on the edge of their seat. When Lando crossed the finish line, it was amazing. Everyone in the pub erupted. I think all the regular patrons were a little flustered by how excited all of us were.

I only joined McLaren earlier this year, so for this to be my first season with the team, is unbelievable. I feel so privileged and so lucky. Being able to celebrate with a number of other folks from McLaren was the best feeling in the world. What an incredible end to an amazing season and an amazing first year at McLaren. 

Katie
Senior Associate, Executive Assistant to CCO

I was watching at home on the sofa with my family, which was very nice. I was so elated, I couldn't put it into words. I was jumping around the room, the dog thought I'd gone mad. It’s almost indescribable how amazing it felt. The whole season has been full of ups and downs. It’s been long, tiring, and exhilarating, but incredible to finish on a high – it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Lee
Coordinator, Commercial Stores & Logistics

I watched it at home with the missus and the dog on the edge of my seat. It was an amazing, thrilling, terrifying watch. I saw a lot of people that I recognised and work with. Getting it across the line after so much hard work is amazing. I’ve worked here for coming up to 10 years, and there’s a been some down times, but this is one massive high. It’s been a long time coming and so well deserved. Everyone has worked really hard, it’s a fantastic feat.

Lucy
Specialist, Internal Events

I was here at the MTC watching it with the fans. I was ecstatic, I genuinely burst into tears. I’ve been hyped ever since the race. It was such an energetic, nerve-wracking day full of stress!

Sophie
Specialist, F1 Communications

I was actually in the garage in Abu Dhabi when we won - it was insane. None of us could watch the last few laps. I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling of when Lando crossed the line, confirming that we had done it. It was incredible to celebrate with the team in Abu Dhabi, and then back at the factory. It clearly means so much to everyone. We’ve all put in so much hard work, dedication and time to be able to get here, and to actually have done it, is surreal. Particularly when you look back at Bahrain and Saudi Arabia last year, when we were at the back of the grid and somehow, we've made to the front. This is an incredible team to be part of, and this is something I'm going to be proud of forever.

Ted
Lead, Pitstop Engineer

I am ecstatic and relieved. It’s been many, many years that we’ve been trying to do this, many years where we’ve been thwarted, but this is the one!

Charles
Senior Associate, Performance Analysis Engineer

It’s like being on another planet. For me, it’s like three years. For a lot of people, it’s been 26 years. There’s no word for it. Every single person in the team has added to this, and it is amazing to be able to celebrate it with everyone, each team, all together.

Sam
Senior Operative, Reliability & Continuous Improvement Engineer

I was at home with friends and colleagues. It was an incredible feeling, like nothing else I’ve experienced. I've been here just over three years, through the start of this upwards trend we’ve been on. It was amazing to celebrate at home, and it must have been fantastic to be trackside. I was watching it with everyone that I started here with on the grad scheme. To do that journey with everyone, and then watch the race together, means so much. We can only get better now. History says that after every win in the Constructors' Championship, the same team usually gets another one!