Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso joined a prestigious gathering of Formula 1 legends in Monte Carlo to celebrate McLaren Racing reaching its 1000th Grand Prix milestone.
The Spanish double world champion, who enjoyed two separate stints with the Woking-based outfit, shared a poignant message of respect for the team’s history during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
The event, held on the Monaco grid, marked exactly 60 years since founder Bruce McLaren made the team’s debut at the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix.
Standing alongside current McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Alonso reflected on the profound influence the team had on his early career. He noted that the legendary battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the iconic red and white livery served as his primary inspiration during the 1990s.
Despite currently sitting last in the drivers’ standings with zero points for Aston Martin, Alonso cast aside current struggles to honor his former team.
“It is an incredible organisation,” Fernando Alonso told Sky Sports F1 during the grid event on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He emphasized that the brand’s reach extends far beyond the Formula 1 paddock, citing their successful ventures into endurance racing and the IndyCar Series. Alonso himself drove for the team in IndyCar as part of his pursuit of the motorsport Triple Crown.
Fernando Alonso reflects on his dual tenure at Woking
The veteran Spaniard’s personal history with McLaren spanned two distinct eras, first in 2007 and then again from 2015 to 2018. While he currently battles issues with the AMR26, including reported “random downshifts,” he remains contracted to Aston Martin until the end of 2026. His appearance at the celebration highlighted the resurgence of the team under CEO Zak Brown.
“I think what Zak also brought to the team is amazing,” Alonso said, acknowledging the expansion of the racing portfolio. Under Brown’s leadership, McLaren backed Alonso’s bid for the Indianapolis 500. This relationship is a sharp contrast to the current 2026 season, where teammate Lance Stroll sits 21st in the championship also with no points after five rounds.
Alonso’s career has been defined by such milestones, having become the first driver to contest 400 Grands Prix in 2024. As the F1 circus navigates a packed 2026 schedule, including latest sport news updates from Suzuka and Miami, this Monaco celebration stood as a rare moment of historical reflection for the grid’s most experienced driver.
The 1000th Grand Prix victory lineup in Monaco
The celebration on the start-finish straight featured 11 of the 15 surviving drivers who have won a Formula 1 Grand Prix for McLaren. The gathered legends represented a significant portion of the team’s 203 total race wins and 13 Drivers’ Championships. The lineup included icons from multiple decades of racing excellence.
| Driver Name | F1 Wins for McLaren | Current Team (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | 21 | Ferrari |
| Mika Hakkinen | 20 | N/A |
| David Coulthard | 12 | N/A |
| Lando Norris | 11 | McLaren |
| Oscar Piastri | 9 | McLaren |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 5 | N/A |
| John Watson | 5 | N/A |
| Fernando Alonso | 4 | Aston Martin |
While the list above highlights the major victors present, the absence of stars like Alain Prost, Jenson Button, and Kimi Raikkonen was noted. However, the presence of Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, underscored the prestige associated with the McLaren brand regardless of current loyalties.
Commemorative livery and the 60-year legacy
To mark the milestone, McLaren revealed a special livery for the MCL40 cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The design featured metallic papaya complemented by anthracite, with specific nods to the team’s Triple Crown achievement and world record pit stops. The livery will also be used during the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Zak Brown stated that McLaren is only the second team in history to reach 1000 Grands Prix. “This team has always shown grit and determination,” Brown said. He noted that the celebration was a way to recognize everything achieved from Bruce McLaren’s first race in 1966 through to the present day.
For Alonso, the celebration was a moment of peace in a turbulent season. While he wished the team “the best for the future,” his own future remains tied to improving the performance of his Aston Martin. As the weekend in Monte Carlo continues, the focus for all teams returns to the tight confines of the street circuit.
