M7A

Our first Formula 1 winner

When Bruce’s ‘McLaren Orange’ M7A won the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix, it was the first McLaren to win a Formula 1 race, breaking the domination of Lotus, Brabham and BRM. Bruce McLaren was then the youngest driver to ever win a Grand Prix. He and 1967 Formula 1 World Champion Denny Hulme had just finished the 1967 Can-Am series first and second respectively.

Speed, reliability and luck

The 1968 Belgian Grand Prix was one of the last to be held on the notoriously demanding 14km Spa circuit. A victory didn’t seem likely for such a small, new team as ours. However, with a quick and reliable car, imperious driving by Bruce and a little luck with retirements, the orange M7A took the chequered flag and delivered the first of many McLaren Formula 1 wins.

A great debut season

McLaren pushed Lotus throughout the season, winning three races and coming second in the 1968 standings. It’s since been said by those lucky enough to have been part of that pioneering team, some of whom still work with us today, that the key to our precocious Formula 1 debut season was Bruce McLaren’s renowned hands-on involvement, engineering touch and sunny disposition.