McLaren 1974 Constructors' Title

Lore & Background

Emerson Fittipaldi joined McLaren from Lotus in 1974. His knowledge of the Lotus 72 helped McLaren develop the M23B and that season Fittipaldi gave McLaren its first drivers' and constructors' world championships, beating Ferrari, Tyrrell and Lotus with four wins. The season saw Marlboro become title sponsors of the team, which they would continue to be so until 1996. Fittipaldi worked on improving the car; a wider track and longer wheelbase were adopted. The revised M23 featured redesigned bodywork, wings and aerodynamics were introduced during the year. Fittipaldi took three wins, while Hulme won once in a closely fought season.

In Their Own Story

The humid air of Fuji Speedway hung heavy over the pit lane on that final Sunday in October 1974. The M23s, painted in their distinctive orange and blue livery, sat poised for one last push. Emerson Fittipaldi's car hummed with the familiar Cosworth V8 note, a sound that had become synonymous with McLaren's resurgence. As the lights went out, the tension was palpable; every second counted toward securing the team's first-ever Constructors' Championship. It wasn't just about winning the race, but about crossing the finish line with enough points to eclipse Ferrari by the slimmest of margins.

Reader's Guide

The M23 was not the most technically advanced F1 car compared to its competitors, but preparation and continual development helped it win 16 Grands Prix, two drivers' and one constructors' world championships in its lifetime.

Did You Know?

• The M23 scored pole position with Denny Hulme on its very first outing in 1973.
• Jody Scheckter was responsible for one of the biggest accidents Formula One has ever seen, at the 1973 British Grand Prix, when he spun his M23 in front of the pack.
• A total of 13 chassis were built, with serial numbers 1 to 12 and 14; no number 13 chassis was built, as it was deemed to be unlucky.
• The M23 that was sold to South African racer Dave Charlton was later modified for Formula 5000 racing and won the 1977 Australian Drivers' Championship with John McCormack.