McLaren Hamilton tribute included in CHAMPION celebrations

McLaren are still celebrating winning the Formula 1 constructors' championship in 2024 but they couldn't help but give a brief nod to one of their former world champions in the process.

McLaren pipped Ferrari at the last race of the season back in December to finish as the best team of the season for the first time in 26 years, with Lando Norris's commanding victory over both Ferraris enough to see off a late charge from the Italian team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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As well as it being the Woking outfit's first constructors' title since 1998, it was also the team's first F1 world championship since Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' crown back in 2008.

So it was perhaps fitting that as the constructors' trophy was paraded through McLaren HQ there was a nod to the seven-time world champion who now drives for Ferrari following his move this winter from Mercedes.

A video on the social media platform X showed the trophy being paraded through the McLaren Technology Centre before being placed on a shelf in the team's densely packed trophy cabinet that reflects their famous success in the sport over many decades since their first race at the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix.

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Click here to shop the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Constructors' Champions Collection and celebrate McLaren's first title in 26 years.

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When did Lewis Hamilton drive for McLaren?

However, eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that chilling in the background to the video is the MP4-24, the car which Hamilton drove during his title defence in the 2009 season.

Hamilton drove for McLaren from his F1 debut in 2007 right up until the end of the 2012 season before switching to Mercedes to replace Michael Schumacher.

Although the Brit proudly drove with the No 1 on the car to reflect his world champion status, it proved to be a nightmare season for Hamilton who along with team-mate Heikki Kovalainen suffered with the car's severe underperformance before a late-season upgrade brought more respectability to bring wins in Hungary and Singapore.

McLaren will now go into the F1 2025 season hoping to defend the constructors' championship for the first time since 1991 while also targeting a drivers' title push with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind the wheel.

We've got a new addition to the trophy cabinet. 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/gjOoauRG8e

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 9, 2025

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