Liam Lawson is fuming that McLaren play the British national anthem, God Save The King, after they win a race, but while the New Zealander has a point, he must simply get over his gripe. Why? Because of the modern landscape of F1.
During F1 ceremonies, the national anthem of the winning driver and constructor is played, honouring the success of that team’s mechanics and engineers. However, the songs played aren’t necessarily those you would expect.
Some are obvious. When Ferrari win, Il Canto degli Italiani is played. When Alpine win, La Marseillaise is played. VCARB – based in Faenza, Italy – also use the Italian anthem, while Haas, still yet to record their first Grand Prix win, would enjoy The Star-Spangled Banner.
With the five constructors based in Britain, the waters are muddier. Williams and Aston Martin are true British teams – albeit using German Mercedes power units – but Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes have different roots. This is why New Zealand native Lawson is frustrated.
“It makes no sense. It is a New Zealand team, the name is still McLaren. I have no idea,” the VCARB starlet told the Red Flags podcast. “Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team is based in the UK.
“McLaren is based in the UK, but it is a New Zealand team. It’s completely bulls*** is what it is, honestly. Especially if you’re from New Zealand. Because Bruce McLaren is an absolute legend.”
McLaren’s case is a tricky one. Lawson is correct in saying that the organisation’s heritage should be respected. The automotive business was founded in 1963 by motorsport icon and four-time Grand Prix winner Bruce McLaren, and based out of New Zealand.
However, the F1 operation is a subsidiary of the McLaren Group, which is based out of the UK, and the McLaren Technology Centre – which is home to over 1,000 employees powering Zak Brown’s squad – is located in Woking.
Then there is the issue of ownership. McLaren Racing are majority owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, who have been investors in the team since 2007. Throw in their German Mercedes engines, and the team Lawson claims are from New Zealand have links to Britain, Bahrain and Germany.
Then there is the issue of ownership. McLaren Racing are majority owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, who have been investors in the team since 2007. Throw in their German Mercedes engines, and the team Lawson claims are from New Zealand have links to Britain, Bahrain and Germany too.
F1 is not a national team sport like football, and aside from unusual cases such as Ferrari and Alpine, its organisations rarely represent a national identity and draw support from a specific population.
This sport is nothing without the engineers, mechanics and team personnel powering the team from the factories. It is the people that make McLaren F1 tick, and they are based in Surrey.
They are registered as a British constructor, and if the team’s executives believe that God Save The King best represents the brand and team’s modern identity, it is their rightful national anthem over God Save New Zealand.
