5 May 2026 18:30 (UTC)
This is your chance to choose your all-time favourite McLaren driver from our list of legendary names
We’ve whetted your appetite over the past few weeks with our Greatest Grand Prix vote, but that was just the starter. Now it’s time for the main course, as we ask McLaren Racing Club members to decide on our greatest former Formula 1 driver.
As we build towards our 1,000th Grand Prix, we’re on a mission to crown the most iconic and legendary driver in our history. A total of 59 drivers have started a Formula 1 race for McLaren, with 22 taking victory. From that list, we’ve selected a top 16, seeded by number of wins.
Our 2026 pairing, Lando and Oscar, are excluded, as this vote is all about celebrating those who have previously raced in McLaren colours. That still leaves an incredible field to choose from - whether your favourite era was our early years, our dominance in the 1980s, our rivalry with Ferrari in the late ’90s, or our fearless approach in the mid- to late-2000s.
The competition will take the form of a straight knockout tournament. McLaren Racing Club members can vote once per round, with winners progressing from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and ultimately the final, where one driver will be crowned the greatest of them all. Voting for the Round of 16 is now open and will close on Wednesday, 20 May. The quarter-finals will then kick off on Friday, 22 May.
Pick your favourites from each of the eight ties. For more on each driver, scroll down past the match-ups to dive into the details of their McLaren careers.
Happy voting, Papaya Family!
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1988, 1990, 1991 Grands Prix wins: 35 Grands Prix: 96
Ayrton Senna actually tested for McLaren Racing during his pre-Formula 1 career, but declined an offer that would have committed him to the team upon stepping up to F1. Instead, he began his F1 career with Toleman, before moving to McLaren in 1988 via Honda-powered Lotus.
Ayrton and Honda arrived at McLaren at the same time, forming one of the most dominant partnerships in Formula 1 history. Alongside Alain Prost, Ayrton drove the McLaren-Honda MP4/4 to victory in 15 of the 16 races that season. Ayrton won eight races to Alain’s seven, clinching the title by three points. After losing out to Alain in 1989, at the height of their fierce rivalry, Ayrton reclaimed the crown in 1990 and 1991 following the Frenchman’s departure to Ferrari.
Ayrton’s reputation at McLaren was that of an intensely driven competitor. He is often credited as one of the first drivers to take diet and physical preparation truly seriously, pioneering a more professional approach to fitness in Formula 1. His intensity softened somewhat with the arrival of Gerhard Berger in 1990, who helped bring out a more playful side to the Brazilian, though his competitive edge never faded.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 2 Grands Prix: 23
Much like McLaren Racing itself, Peter Revson initially built his reputation in the Can-Am Series. During the early 1970s, he competed for the team across Can-Am, IndyCar and Formula 1.
The sleek and well-groomed American was widely regarded as a solid and reliable pair of hands, but his speed was often underrated. He claimed victories in both Can-Am and Formula 1 for McLaren, and also bagged Pole position for the Indianapolis 500 in 1971 with a then-record speed of 176mph.
In Formula 1, Peter made 32 Grand Prix starts for McLaren, regularly scoring points. Once he got his hands on the new McLaren M23 in 1973, he memorably won both the British Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 8 Grands Prix: 136
Jenson Button’s Formula 1 career was unusual in that his reputation arguably grew even further after he became World Champion. During his time with McLaren Racing, he claimed eight of his 15 Grand Prix victories, while also proving his mettle against two of the sport’s greats in teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
By this stage of his career, Jenson was a highly refined driver, renowned for his ability to look after a set of tyres and for an natural feel for braking that made him especially effective in low-grip conditions. He was also widely regarded as an exceptional wet-weather driver, but where he truly excelled was in mixed conditions, instinctively finding grip where others could not.
He scored several memorable victories for McLaren, chief among them his triumph at the Canadian Grand Prix. In torrential conditions, Jenson navigated six Safety Car periods and fought his way through the field three times to claim one of the most remarkable wins in Formula 1 history.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1984 Grands Prix wins: 8 Grands Prix: 58
Eight years on from his infamous battle with McLaren’s James Hunt as a Ferrari driver, Niki Lauda was on the other side of F1’s most famous team-to-team rivalry, fighting for the title with McLaren.
Niki had initially left F1 in 1979, but new McLaren boss Ron Dennis was determined to coax him out of retirement. He kept calling, and eventually, Niki said yes, allowing himself to be persuaded into a race seat for 1982, curious as to whether he still had the speed to fight for top honours. The answer was, of course, yes.
He was on the pace from the outset and later said he might even have won the title in 1982 had he realised his competitiveness earlier in the season. Instead, his comeback was crowned in 1984, when he secured his third World Championship by half a point over teammate Alain Prost - the closest finish in Formula 1 history.
Few drivers have commanded as much respect as Niki. ‘No-nonsense’ is often the simplest way to describe him. He spoke his mind, did things his own way, and moved through the paddock with complete authority. While still supremely quick in his later years, it was his analytical mind and relentless focus that truly set him apart. In a sport packed with intelligent, motivated characters, Niki stood out amongst the very best of them.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 2008 Grands Prix wins: 21 Grands Prix: 110
McLaren’s last Drivers’ Champion before Lando Norris was Lewis Hamilton, who secured the title in 2008 after a dramatic final day in Brazil. Lewis had been on McLaren’s books since 1998, rising through the ranks to widespread acclaim before being promoted to the Formula 1 team for 2007. After one of the sport’s most impressive rookie seasons, he became a regular race winner in 2008 and clinched his first World Championship at the final corner of the final lap of the race in Brazil.
A genuine homegrown talent, the Lewis Hamilton who arrived as a 22-year-old rookie was exceptionally fast and fearlessly competitive. He was also still developing, but eager to learn and relentlessly committed to improvement - a combination that quickly marked him out as a future champion.
He also built a strong connection with fans, taking time at events to engage with supporters and ensure everyone left happy. Nearly two decades on, Lewis remains at the pinnacle of motorsport, having built a global following that began during his early years at McLaren.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 3 Grands Prix: 48
Remembered as being the team-mate who softened Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger’s light-hearted side masked the steely determination that allowed him to take on the unenviable task of succeeding Alain Prost at McLaren.
Joining the team in 1990, he spent three memorable seasons as Senna’s team-mate, taking four Pole positions and three Grand Prix victories while up against one of the all-time greats. A key part of a special period in McLaren’s history, Gerhard became one of Ayrton’s close friends and played a significant role in two Constructors’ World Championships.
Known as ‘Gearhard’ at McLaren due to his aggressive driving style, his most famous McLaren win arguably came in his final race for the team, when he held off Michael Schumacher to win the 1992 season finale in Australia.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 9 Grands Prix: 87
Moody, driven and intensely focused, Kimi Räikkönen proved a worthy successor to fellow Flying Finn Mika Häkkinen at McLaren, replacing his compatriot in 2002.
Kimi’s rookie campaign with Sauber in 2001 had already marked him out as blisteringly quick, alongside a calm, unflappable demeanour that suggested he would not be overwhelmed by the step up to a race-winning, championship-contending team.
He went on to score nine wins, 11 Pole positions and 36 podiums during a memorable stint with McLaren, delivering both the speed and consistency the team expected.
One of his most iconic victories came at Suzuka in 2005, when he charged from 17th to first, passing Giancarlo Fisichella’s Renault on the final lap for the win.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1974 Grands Prix wins: 5 Grands Prix: 28
After establishing itself as a frontrunner in the early 1970s, McLaren recruited 1972 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi for the 1974 season to help take the team to the next level and mount a sustained title challenge.
Driving the M23, the Brazilian battled Ferrari’s Clay Regazzoni for Championship honours. The title was ultimately decided at the season finale at Watkins Glen, where Fittipaldi finished fourth - a result that secured both his second Drivers’ Championship and McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship.
Emmo stayed with McLaren to defend his crown in 1975, finishing runner-up to Niki Lauda, before departing at the end of the season to race for his family’s Fittipaldi Automotive team.
Effortlessly charismatic, Emmo is widely credited with helping spark Brazil’s passion for Formula 1, paving the way for a generation that would later include Ayrton Senna. Arriving with a stereotypical samba swagger, a thick mop of long dark hair, and distinctive sideburns – normally complete with sunglasses – he was F1’s own King of Cool. Blessed with a smooth, controlled driving style, he remained involved in motorsport well into later life, including appearances in racing well into his 60s.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1998, 1999 Grands Prix wins: 20 Grands Prix: 131
Mika Häkkinen originally joined McLaren as a Test Driver in 1993, following two years with a struggling Lotus team, deciding that a future seat with McLaren was a better bet than continuing to race an uncompetitive car. When Michael Andretti left McLaren with three races of the season remaining, Mika was given his chance and immediately cemented his place in the team - and began building his reputation - by out-qualifying Ayrton Senna in his first race with the team.
When Ayrton left for Williams ahead of 1994, Mika became the team’s number one driver, but it wasn’t until 1998 that he had a car capable of challenging for the Championship. In the Mercedes-powered MP4/13, Mika went wheel-to-wheel with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher, who would later hail the Finn as “The best opponent I’ve had in terms of quality”, winning the title in the season finale.
Mika was a fearless competitor and almost entirely unflappable, qualities that made him a formidable rival. Supremely quick and precise, he always knew exactly where to place the car and was never one to back out of a wheel-to-wheel battle. Off-track, he was reserved and easy-going, but thoughtful and well-humoured - very much the phlegmatic Finn. He’s still a popular presence in our garage to this day.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 4 Grands Prix: 73
A quick and highly professional driver with an almost frustratingly perfectionist streak when it came to the intricacies of chassis set-up, John Watson was surprisingly soft-spoken out of the cockpit, especially when compared to many of his more intense rivals.
Wattie, as he was affectionately known, won four of his five Grands Prix for McLaren, with two victories standing out as particularly significant to this day.
His first McLaren win came at Silverstone in 1981, in the MP4/1 - the first Formula 1 car to race and win with a full carbon fibre monocoque chassis, a breakthrough that revolutionised safety and quickly became the standard across the sport.
His final McLaren victory, and final Formula 1 win, came at Long Beach in 1983, where he set a record that still stands today by winning from 22nd on the grid - the furthest back from which a Grand Prix has ever been won.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 12 Grands Prix: 150
It is a mark of David Coulthard’s contribution to our story that he won all but one of his 13 Grand Prix victories with McLaren.
His win at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix sparked a revival for the team, ending a three-year winless streak and helping lay the foundations for the 1998 World Championship success.
He spent six successful seasons alongside Mika Häkkinen, including a memorable second-place finish in the 2001 World Championship behind Michael Schumacher. David then helped ease the transition period after Mika’s departure, playing a key role in supporting young Finnish team-mate Kimi Räikkönen during his early McLaren years.
A hugely popular figure within the team, David combined professionalism with an easy charm, disproving the old racing adage that nice guys can’t be winners.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 4 Grands Prix: 94
Aged 22, Fernando Alonso was the driver to finally break Bruce McLaren’s 43-year-old record, becoming Formula 1’s youngest ever winner at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix with Renault. Four years later, he would be driving for Bruce’s team.
By this stage a two-time World Champion, Fernando arrived at McLaren to considerable fanfare and quickly made his mark, winning his second race and re-establishing the team at the sharp end after a disappointing 2006 season.
More victories followed - he led home an emotional McLaren one-two at Monaco, showcased his controlled aggression to snatch victory at the Nürburgring, and dominated at Monza. But his winning momentum was matched by rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and, ultimately, bettered by Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen, who took the title by just one point at the final race in Brazil.
Fernando departed after a single season but returned to McLaren eight years later, where he once again demonstrated his ability to extract every inch of performance from a car, regardless of its limitations. He also played a key role in McLaren’s historic return to the Indy 500.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1976 Grands Prix wins: 9 Grands Prix: 49
A truly mercurial talent, James Hunt’s battle with Niki Lauda across the 1976 season remains one of the most famous in Formula 1 history, and inspired the film Rush.
James was a driver of natural, raw pace. Fiercely competitive, he raced on instinct, always on the edge and never giving an inch. He was also flamboyant, and his name is often associated with F1’s so-called golden era - a racer defined by a work-hard, play-hard approach.
Joining McLaren in 1976 as Emerson Fittipaldi’s replacement, James had big boots to fill, but had already shown with the smaller Hesketh team that he was capable of winning Grands Prix. While his off-track lifestyle became the stuff of legend, the team were happy so long as his focus remained on performing in the car - and he was more than capable of delivering. Though he experienced nerves in the build-up to races, once the visor dropped, he flourished.
James sealed the World Championship at the final round in Japan, in a race that perfectly reflected his reputation for bravery, as he battled heavy fog, torrential rain, and standing water.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 6 Grands Prix: 86
Known as Denny to his friends and ‘The Bear’ to those who got on the wrong side of him, the tough New Zealander was one of Bruce McLaren’s closest allies.
Such was his toughness - and his bond with Bruce - that just a week after our founder’s tragic passing in 1970, Hulme took part in the Can-Am season opener at Mosport despite having severely burnt his hands while testing the McLaren M15, determined to race on in his friend’s memory and keep the team alive.
A World Champion with Brabham, it was at McLaren that Denny truly made his home. He remained with the team until the end of his career, winning six Grands Prix in total. His final victory, at Buenos Aires in 1974, was a classic Denny performance: patient in the early stages, careful in preserving the car, before striking when others began to falter.
McLaren statistics World Championships: 1985, 1986, 1989 Grands Prix wins: 30 Grands Prix: 207
Alain Prost had been courted by much of the Formula 1 grid before electing to join McLaren in 1980. He left after a single season, returning in 1984 alongside Niki Lauda. Over a six-year spell with the team, he amassed 30 victories and three Drivers’ Championships.
After narrowly missing the title by two points in 1983 with Renault, and by just half a point to Niki in 1984, Alain made no mistake in 1985, dominating the season to secure the Championship with two races remaining. He went on to win further titles in 1986 and 1989, during which time he formed one half of Formula 1’s most iconic intra-team rivalry with Ayrton Senna, culminating in their infamous collision in the decisive 1989 Japanese Grand Prix.
During his time at McLaren, Alain earned the nickname ‘Le Professeur’ for his calm, cerebral approach to racing, though that was not always his early reputation. Paired with Niki, he began as the younger attacker, learning from his more experienced teammate. Niki’s measured, analytical style helped shape Alain’s own approach, as he refined his craft into something more controlled and methodical. The contrast between Alain’s calculation and Ayrton’s instinctive aggression defined one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries.
McLaren statistics Grands Prix wins: 3 Grands Prix: 26
One of McLaren’s most exciting drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya was undoubtedly great fun to watch, even if it is sometimes felt that he didn’t quite realise his full potential in F1 after a hugely promising start.
Interestingly, Juan Pablo made his Formula 1 debut after winning the Indy 500, meaning his Monaco Grand Prix victory with Williams in 2003 placed him among the few drivers to have won two legs of motorsport’s Triple Crown. Only the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains unfulfilled.
He joined McLaren in 2005 alongside Kimi Räikkönen, forming a formidable pairing that narrowly missed out on Constructors’ Championship success, largely due to reliability issues.
Victories in the British, Italian and Brazilian Grands Prix showcased his raw speed and race craft, but he departed midway through 2006 after the opportunity arose to switch to NASCAR.
After nearly 15 years, Juan Pablo made a historic return to the McLaren family with Arrow McLaren in 2021, competing in the GMR Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 in consecutive years, including an impressive charge from 30th to 11th in the 2022 Indy 500.
