In a dramatic turnaround, McLaren has surged to the front of the Formula 1 grid, and 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes the secret lies in a strategic shift in management. With the removal of what he describes as a ‘bottleneck,’ McLaren has unlocked previously untapped potential, setting the stage for their recent dominance.
Midway through the 2023 season, McLaren experienced a notable upswing, starting with a crucial upgrade during the Austrian Grand Prix. This shift followed a turbulent period marked by management changes, including Andreas Seidl’s departure and the subsequent rise of Andrea Stella to team principal. Stella’s leadership sparked a restructuring of the team’s technical department, leading to the exit of James Key as technical director and the introduction of a new tripartite structure.
According to Rosberg, this recalibration has allowed McLaren to explore new directions. ‘There was a bottleneck in management that was too firm on a certain direction,’ Rosberg commented during a Sky Sports broadcast. ‘Once that person, or those people, moved on, the team was free to be more exploratory and go down a new route.’
While McLaren has bolstered its team with fresh talent, including Rob Marshall as technical director for engineering and design, the core technical staff largely remains intact. Former driver Anthony Davidson emphasized that aligning talent is crucial, comparing it to a football team needing cohesion to succeed. ‘You can have a lot of talent within the team,’ he explained, ‘but it’s not useful if you can’t make them work in harmony.’
This newfound harmony has paid off. After a slow start in the 2023 season, McLaren ended the year as strong contenders, and by 2024, they had broken free from early-season struggles. The Miami Grand Prix saw Lando Norris claim his first win, leading McLaren’s charge in overcoming a massive deficit to eventually clinch the Constructors’ Championship by a narrow margin over Ferrari.
Fast forward to 2025, and McLaren shows no signs of slowing down. With seven victories in the season’s first nine races, they lead the standings comfortably. This resurgence, driven by strategic management changes and effective collaboration, showcases the team’s resilience and commitment to innovation.
McLaren’s rise to prominence in the Formula 1 world exemplifies the power of strategic thinking and effective teamwork. By removing barriers and fostering a culture of collaboration, the team has transformed its fortunes, proving that sometimes, change off the track can make all the difference on it.
