McLaren’s Monaco milestone sparks counting debate
"McLaren seems to have fudged things a bit"
McLaren will celebrate what it says is its 1000th Formula 1 grand prix this weekend in Monaco with a special anniversary livery.
The world champions have unveiled a modified papaya-and-anthracite design featuring a prominent ’1000’ on the engine cover, marking what the team regards as a historic milestone.
The timing is symbolic. Monaco was where founder Bruce McLaren made his own debut 60 years ago, and the Woking-based team remains the most successful constructor in the principality’s history with 16 victories.
However, not everyone agrees with the arithmetic.
Auto Motor und Sport journalist Joel Lischka noted that several Formula 1 databases list Monaco as only McLaren’s 999th world championship event, suggesting the team may have included the infamous 2005 US GP in its tally.
That race saw all Michelin-shod cars pull into the pits after the formation lap due to safety concerns, leaving only six starters.
"As far as the counting method is concerned, McLaren seems to have fudged things a bit," Lischka wrote. "Be that as it may, celebrating the 1000th Grand Prix in Monaco during the team’s 60th F1 anniversary is more spectacular than a week later in Barcelona."
The special livery arrives as the reigning world champions look to bounce back from another weekend of criticism over its strategic decisions.
Despite fielding one of the fastest cars on the grid, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were put on intermediate tyres at the start in Montreal on a circuit that was already largely dry.
Veteran correspondent Michael Schmidt was among those left baffled.
"Nobody understood it," he said. "Everyone shook their heads. How could anyone even think of starting on intermediate tyres?"
Schmidt argued that strategy remains one of McLaren’s biggest weaknesses despite its recent success.
"McLaren is strategically weak," he said, citing a series of questionable calls in 2025 as well.
"The same thing happened in Miami. They waited too long and were outmanoeuvred by Mercedes. That’s a major weakness and they need to address it."