McLaren Formula 1

Nurturing young genius

Dennis was brilliant at spotting young genius.

Over nearly three decades, a remarkable man—Ron Dennis—put the McLaren F1 team in a commanding position. He did it by attracting drivers like Lauda and Senna. He did it by launching breakthrough cars, like the MP4/1, with its carbon-fiber construction.

Dennis was brilliant at spotting young genius. In 1995, the ten-year-old Lewis Hamilton asked Ron to sign his autograph book, saying he wanted to race for him—one day. Three years on, Ron signed him up. The rest is history.

McLaren’s track record is spectacular. So is TAG Heuer’s record in sponsoring star drivers. It makes the two teams the perfect fit. From Fangio, at the start of F1, right through to Hamilton—a brand ambassador from age eighteen—TAG Heuer has always supported racing genius.

Like father and son: two driving ambitions

“To be the best at everything we do”.

Ron Dennis knew he had a wonderkid in the young Hamilton, and treated him like a son. The Brazilian Grand Prix that made Hamilton 2008 World Champion had Ron on the edge of his seat. It was the day when Lewis fulfilled his youthful promise.

“Well, that was a really tough race,” said Ron. “One of the most thrilling finishes in sporting history. I’m so proud of Lewis.” Seven F1 world champions come from the McLaren stable, but with Hamilton they fielded the youngest ever.

“To be the best at everything we do” is the McLaren motto. It defines TAG Heuer too. It defines the high-performance spirit that inspired us to create the TAG Heuer SLR Laptimer. Its outstanding technology and unique design distill the essence of motor racing into a timepiece.

Celebrating in style

The eyes of the world are on the team.

TAG Heuer and McLaren marked their quarter century in spectacular style at the McLaren Technology Centre. Who better to start the festivities than their joint protégé? Lewis Hamilton arrived at the wheel of the 1986 McLaren MP4-2C which Alain Prost powered to victory.

Anniversaries are a time to bask in the glow of shared achievements. To celebrate McLaren’s World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. To applaud the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sportscar. And to marvel at the sophistication of TAG Heuer’s timekeeping equipment, and the sculptural beauty of the TAG Heuer SLR Laptimer.

At anniversaries we look forward too. With the last two world champions in the McLaren paddock, the eyes of the whole world are on the team. TAG Heuer and McLaren have renewed their partnership. Ladies and gentlemen: please raise your glasses to the next quarter century.

The casual sport watch inspired by F1