“Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone.”

The words of our founder Bruce McLaren ring true to this day. Like all great teams, what makes McLaren is its people. Our achievements wouldn’t be possible without everyone who has played a part in the team. All of us here are custodians of a special sporting legacy, built by those who have gone before, added to by everyone here today and those to come. Each one of us contributes to this living legacy every day. Therefore, to honour the incredible contribution of our people, we have launched the Papaya Laurels – our highest mark of recognition for team members retiring with more than 20 years of service to McLaren Racing.

In an intimate ceremony on 14 December 2020, held in accordance with social distancing guidelines, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Bruce’s daughter Amanda McLaren inducted the first members into this prestigious club: Ian Bates, Nick Butler, Clive Byfield – a posthumous member after sadly passing away last year, Michael East, Graham Emmerson, Mark Franklin, Darren Fretwell, Gerald Good, Robert Hatfield, David Johnson, Richard McMahon, Ray Rowe, Richard Taylor and Neil Trundle. Collectively, these 14 colleagues have clocked up more than 431 years of service at McLaren Racing and they will always be part of the McLaren family.

In preparation for retirement, members are provided with free financial advice and guidance, while each year a gala dinner will be held for the Papaya Laurels where they can formally reunite. Members will also be invited as guests of McLaren to the British Grand Prix in the year of their retirement and their name will be carried on the McLaren F1 car in the race nearest their retirement date. A framed and signed race shirt from our drivers is given to each member of the club and, in addition, there will be an ongoing invitation to the team’s end of season party.

During the inaugural Papaya Laurels ceremony, Zak and Amanda unveiled a ‘wall of fame’ at the McLaren Technology Centre which recognises the outstanding contribution every member of the Papaya Laurels has made to McLaren Racing and the team’s living legacy. As we follow in their footsteps and write the next chapter in our team’s remarkable story, the Papaya Laurels stand as an accolade to the dedication and achievements of each long-serving member of the team, while ensuring they are still part of the McLaren family after retiring.

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