Lost legend not forgotten in McLaren’s heartfelt title toast at Woking

Amid the jubilation of back-to-back Constructors' Championship titles, McLaren's heartfelt homecoming this week at their Woking headquarters included a poignant tribute to a lost legend: Gil de Ferran. 

Fresh from clinching their 10th Constructors' crown at the Singapore Grand Prix – a dominant feat sealed with 12 race wins and a staggering 325-point lead over Mercedes – the team gathered not just to celebrate their resurgence, but to remember the later Brazilian, McLaren’s quiet architect whose wisdom still echoes through their halls.

In a moment that blended raw joy with tender sorrow, the squad raised glasses to the man whose passing in 2023 left an irreplaceable void, yet whose spirit fueled their path to the top.

A Toast to a Dear Friend

In a touching moment captured in a video shared on X, McLaren’s chief operating officer Piers Thynne addressed hundreds of staff members with a moving tribute to his former colleague.

“I recall extremely clearly our very, very dear friend who was part of starting our culture, Gil,” he said.

“He said to me, the Christmas before his passing: ‘Piers, what is absolutely fantastic is this team has all of the ingredients to get it right. All you need to do is get the recipe right.’

“And thank you very much to each and every one of you for getting the recipe right, not only last year but this year, and we will certainly need to evolve that recipe looking into the next era of Formula 1. But just to end on, I’d like to raise a toast on getting the recipe right.”

As Thynne lifted his glass, the room erupted in cheers – not just for the team’s championship success, but for the enduring legacy of a man who helped lay the foundations of their revival.

Gil de Ferran’s Spirit Lives On

De Ferran, remembered as a two-time Champ Car champion and the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner, served McLaren as sporting director and later as an adviser. His sudden passing in 2023, at the age of just 56, left team papaya and the motorsport community in mourning.

At the time, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown shared his grief, saying:

“I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of our great friend and teammate.

I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races. He’s been a great friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”

Now, two years on, his words resonate more deeply than ever. McLaren’s climb back to the top – driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who have delivered a remarkable haul of victories – stands as a testament to the culture de Ferran helped build.

In toasting the late motorsport legend, McLaren didn't just mark a championship; they reaffirmed a promise to carry his light forward.

As the team eyes defending their crown into the next era of the sport, his words linger like a gentle guide – a heartfelt reminder that the sweetest victories are those shared with those we've loved and lost.

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