Date of Birth

Date of Death

Mini Biography

Almost a forgotten figure as a race driver, Bruce McLaren's name lives on in the Formula 1 race team he founded in 1966. Several top drivers can thank the New Zealand native for wins in some of the biggest races in the world, including Monaco and the Indianapolis 500. McLaren started racing in the 1950s and joined the Grand Prix circus in 1958 racing for Cooper where he won three races. He introduced the first McLaren racer in 1966, and won a race in his own car two years later. He was planning on retiring from racing when he was killed at Goodwood, England, when a piece of bodywork from his McLaren Can-Am car flew off, sending the car out of control and crashing into a stand.

Trade Mark

Black Kiwi bird was his logo.

Always wore a silver helmet. His McLaren cars were colored a Tangerine Orange.

Trivia

Won four Formula 1 Grand Prix races.

Had 103 starts in Formula 1.

Founded the McLaren Motor Racing team, which has won eight World championships as a manufacturer.

McLaren cars have won more than 100 races in Formula 1 and has won the Indianapolis 500 three times.

Killed while testing his own car at Goodwood, England, UK.

Among the drivers who have won World Championships in McLaren cars are Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.

The 1966 M2B Bruce McLaren

The young Bruce McLaren in his ...