The legacy of McLaren Formula E team
- Rohan Brown
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Written by Rohan Brown, edited by Morgan Holiday
McLaren Formula E team have only a few races left until they exit the series. The team has had many successes and many low points over their stint in the series - and in reflection their legacy is certainly a complicated one.
How McLaren entered FE
McLaren entered Formula E in Season 9, replacing the then-reigning manufacturers champions Mercedes after a deal was agreed between the two outfits. The official announcement was made on the 14th March 2022.
The Woking-based team retained Team Principal Ian James in an effort to have a smooth transition into McLaren’s first season competing in FE.
Team Principal James commented in the announcement that: “Today’s announcement confirms the next exciting chapter in the development of the team”.
The team was set to be a continuation of what it had achieved under its previous Mercedes ownership.
Additionally, it was later announced that they would be using Nissan engines for their cars.
McLaren’s FE journey
Jake Hughes and René Rast were signed as McLaren’s first FE lineup ahead of Season 9 - and the team debuted at the season opener in Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on the 14th January 2023.
Season 9 was a strong introductory season for McLaren, as they concluded the season eight-placed in the teams’ championship, only seven points away from the seventh-placed Nissan team. Their best results from this season was a sole podium by Rast in Diriyah and a plethora of fifth-place finishes by both drivers.
Transitioning into Season 10, McLaren chose to replace Rast in favour of former Jaguar driver Sam Bird. The team effectively built on their fortunes from last season, with Bird delivering their first-ever win at the Sāo Paulo E-Prix. Additionally, Hughes delivered a second podium finish later on in the season at Shanghai. These successes led to McLaren concluding the season seventh in the teams’ championship.
Progressing into what would be their final season in Formula E (Season 11), McLaren elected to replace Jake Hughes in favour of promoting reserve and developmental driver Taylor Barnard (who replaced Hughes in three races during the previous season when he was ill).
McLaren’s decision to promote Barnard has proven to be a positive one, with the British driver currently sitting third in the drivers’ championship - picking up five podiums (including one pole position and second-place finish at the Jeddah E-Prix). As of Round 14 he has an average grid position of ninth.
Read more about Taylor Barnard here
Bird himself secured a few strong points finishes too, leading to McLaren finishing in fifth in the teams’ championship as of the end of Round 14 (their highest ever position).
Their ultimate legacy
Ultimately, McLaren’s FE team is a victim of shifting priorities, with a focus on their World Endurance Championship entry being the primary factor that ended their short-lived but successful three seasons in Formula E.
Their legacy is arguably that of a strong midfield team that has been capable of challenging occasionally at the podium positions, and building on their position in the teams’ championship year-on-year.
Their final rounds will be at the London E-Prix on the 26th and 27th July 2025.
Comments