McLaren racer Lando Norris and team principal Zak Brown began the summer break on a high note following a victory at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix. Subsequently, Zak Brown attended the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California, where he showcased historic McLaren Formula 1 cars as part of the Monterey Car Week celebrations.
The 2025 Monterey Motorsports Reunion took place from August 13 to August 15, serving as a gathering point for motorsports legends and fans. Among the participants joining Brown were prominent figures such as Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR icons Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch, and <a href="https://www.big14news.com/indycar/”>IndyCar titleholder Dario Franchitti. The event also marked the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, featuring a special display of F1 cars behind Turn 3, highlighting vehicles from various eras of the sport.
McLaren brought three historically significant cars to the event. The centerpiece was the legendary 1984 McLaren MP4/2 driven by Niki Lauda, the car responsible for securing McLaren’s third drivers’ title and second constructors’ championship. Alongside this, McLaren presented Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1974 McLaren M23/05, the team’s first car to secure an F1 championship, as well as Lando Norris’ current 2024 McLaren MCL38/02, which powered the team to the constructors’ title in the previous season.
Zak Brown Takes the Wheel of Lauda’s Championship-Winning McLaren MP4/2
While Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1974 M23/05 and Norris’ 2024 MCL38/02 were displayed statically, Zak Brown took a more active role by driving the iconic 1984 MP4/2 during an exhibition run held on August 15 and 16. Brown, a familiar figure at Laguna Seca, expressed enthusiasm about piloting Lauda’s historic car during this special occasion.
“It’s fantastic to be back at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, it’s one of my favorite events of the year and it’s an honor to get behind the wheel of Lauda’s MP4/2, a car the team were so successful in. I’m looking forward to being part of the Formula 1 anniversary celebrations.” —Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
Brown’s participation contributed to the reunion’s highlight reel, adding to the rich programming alongside other notable vehicles such as Mario Andretti’s 1978 championship-winning Lotus Type 79 and Jenson Button’s 2009 Brawn BGP001, both showcased at the event.
Celebrating McLaren’s Historic Racing Milestones at Monterey
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion served not only as a platform to honor McLaren’s present successes but also to celebrate its rich heritage in Formula 1. Bringing together cars driven by legendary champions like Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi reinforced the team’s long-standing impact on the sport. This event allowed fans and participants alike to appreciate how McLaren’s legacy continues to shape Formula 1 today.
For Lando Norris, the presence of his current championship-winning MCL38/02 alongside these historical machines further highlights McLaren’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. The reunion’s festive atmosphere provided a bridge between the past and the future of racing, with Zak Brown’s exhibition runs reminding audiences of McLaren’s iconic achievements while maintaining focus on upcoming seasons.
As McLaren looks ahead beyond the summer break, the momentum from both the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix victory and the prestigious Monterey event positions the team well for continued success. The celebrations of historic cars and the presence of multiple motorsport champions underscore McLaren’s celebrated role in racing history and its ambitions moving forward.
