TREMAYNE: The day the McLaren story began – and Bruce McLaren set a record that would last for over 40 years

McLaren enjoyed a superb second half to the 2023 season with Oscar Piastri even grabbing a Sprint victory for the Woking squad. And while everyone in papaya colours will be hoping they can add to their Grand Prix wins tally next year, today is the anniversary of the first F1 victory of team founder Bruce McLaren. F1 Hall of Fame journalist David Tremayne recounts the day the McLaren story really began…

World championship finales stretching into December are nothing new. Sixty four years ago today the 1959 title was eventually wrapped up by Jack Brabham, in a US Grand Prix that was won by his fast-rising team mate – a young man called Bruce McLaren. And the irony was that the New Zealander wasn’t even meant to be in the race.