Martin Whitmarsh has paid tribute to Bruce McLaren, the founder of the McLaren team back in 1963.
The team’s first Formula One race was the 1966 Monaco GP. Bruce competed against the likes of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Jack Brabham. He retired after just nine laps with an oil leak.
Success finally came in the 1968 Belgian GP when Bruce took the checkered flag for the teams first victory, one which would become part of their 167 victories to date, most recently of course last weekend in Turkey.
Bruce passed away in a Can-Am accident on June 2nd, 1970 aged just 32. Today marks the 40th anniversary of his death.
The team remains, and still is, one of the most successful in the sports history.
“The 40th anniversary of Bruce McLaren’s death gives us the opportunity to reflect on his legacy, and to appreciate just how much of his original vision still lives on within our team,” said Whitmarsh.
“Bruce made his name not only as a skilled and disciplined racing driver, but also as a pragmatic engineer with the inspiration, vision and determination to take on and beat the greatest teams in motorsport.
“It’s an ethos that still holds true to this day, and one which Ron Dennis was careful to foster and promote when he assumed control of the team in 1980. Through Ron’s guidance and stewardship, McLaren remains a company that is passionate about technology and engineering, and which is set apart by its keen sense of competition, attention to detail and desire to be the best.
“Bruce’s values have seen us maintain a winning legacy throughout six decades of competition, and have rewarded us with victories in the Formula 1 world championship, the North American Can-Am series, the Indy 500, Formula 5000 and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Winning will always be central to the McLaren DNA.
“We are honoured to uphold the McLaren name. And, for many millions of people around the world, the name McLaren is motor racing – there can be no greater testament to Bruce than that.”
McLaren held a minutes noise to mark the occasion by starting one of Bruce’s Can-Am cars at the MTC in Woking.
All images are provided by McLaren.
