Forever Forward: The inside story of McLaren Formula 1

by Ben Hunt, Zak Brown (foreword)

UPDATED WITH A NEW CHAPTER

With a foreword by McLaren CEO Zak Brown and written with exclusive inside access, this is the real-time, unfolding story of one of F1’s greatest ever teams, rising back up from oblivion.

Few names in motorsports carry the same authority as McLaren and, although in recent years their performance hadn’t living up to the legend, they have now returned to form in a spectacular way under the leadership of Zak Brown.

Going into 2023, Brown’s team were the ninth quickest on the grid only to end it as arguably the second fastest, after a dramatic mid-season turnaround. It was only in 2024 that lead driver Lando Norris achieved his first ever Grand Prix win in Miami. The following year he became world champion.

Zak Brown took over a failing team from Ron Dennis in 2018, and his dynamic leadership style has seen astounding results. McLaren are on the rise again, looking to a future that will echo its haloed past, when James Hunt, Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton drove the team into the history books. Here they go again.

The McLaren motto is ‘Forever Forward’, and their story is all about the underdog taking on the big boys of F1. The author looks back at McLaren’s origin story, as their heritage is such a big part of their identity, but his main mission is going behind the scenes to give us the inside track on the team's extraordinary resurgence under Brown, and their thrilling bid for victory.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

About the author

The world’s #1 nerd on how to design websites that work

It is impossible to estimate how many websites Ben Hunt has made more effective, through his articles (which have been read by millions), his books, or the hundreds of designers he has trained.

One of the most influential figures in web design, Ben has been a web professional, entrepreneur, and consultant since 1994.

Ben is a highly respected thinker with expertise in disciplines spanning direct marketing, SEO, content marketing, conversion rate optimisation, and usability.

He has written two extremely successful books. Incredibly, his first ebook, “Save the Pixel” has sold almost 10,000 copies direct to website owners and designers.

Ben’s second major title, “Convert!“, published by Wiley in 2011, is one of the top-rated online marketing books on Amazon. (Quote: doubled business, bible.)

In 2010, Ben launched his Pro Web Design Course, which goes beyond just teaching design, addressing everything a designer needs to build successful websites – and a successful business! (Here are some of the most recent testimonials about the course.)

Ben has a curious and restless personality, which has led him to create a range of solutions, including a content management system and SEO tools.

Ben is an international speaker, who has been invited to present at conferences including Ken McCarthy’s System Seminar, Drayton Bird’s EADIM, and Conversion Conference.

His latest ebook, “How To Be #1” a practical guide to dominating niche markets, was released in July 2012.

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too brief and lightweight to be authoritative, and too fawning to be a serious critique, this perhaps serves a relative newcomer to Formula 1 as an introduction to one of the most storied teams in the sport. Much of the content is made up from press and tv interviews, so that you never feel you're getting under the skin or learning anything particularly new, and it reads very much as a factual journalistic piece. Unfortunately, in hindsight, it has also come about prematurely as the current 2025 season has progressed the current McLaren story beyond the end of this book, which stops at the end of the 2024 season. (I'm reading it just after publication and just after the 2 McLaren drivers have crashed into each other at the Canadian GP in 2025!).

[Maria Currant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed listening to the story of McLaren and how it’s grown over the years.

Little insights into the team and their story to success last year.

Definitely worth a read or listen if you’re an F1 fan !

[Deity World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy book to read if you don’t know much about the sport, good to see McLaren back at its height

[Ellenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant insight into McLaren’s Formula 1 team over the years, from its inception all the way to the most recent season and their constructors win.

A great read for any papaya fan 🧡

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3,5 stars

The book focuses much more on the present than the past. I was surprised by how quickly Ben Hunt seemed to gloss over figures like Senn and Lauda. Because of that, the book can feel a bit superficial.

But I liked that Hunt interviewed people who worked behind the scenes, such as team secretaries. Hearing how Senna’s death affected the team internally is a new perspective I haven't read about yet.

Overall, this is an easy read that avoids heavy technical detail. It’s a great entry point for new fans of F1 and definitely enjoyable for Lando fans like me.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ravno prava knjiga za na dopust. Streseš v dveh/treh dneh.

Na žalost pa sem očitno (in spet) prekršil lastno pravilo o branju biografij, ki še niso končane (konec kariere, življenja, something...).

Gremo od začetka... knjiga se začne na začetku. Spoznamo Bruca McLarna, ki ga naslika kot prejšnjo reinkarnacijo Piastrija - mlad, simpatičen, predan dirkanju, hiter. Brzimo od ustanovitve ekipe, preko prve zmage, do prvega Fittipaldijevega prvenstva, preko Hunta, Prosta, Laude, Senne, Mike, Davida, Alonsa in Hamiltona. In smo šele na pol knjige. 🤯

Potem se začne (preveč?) natančno seciranje McLarna zadnjih let, vse od skorajšnjega bankrota med Covidom, do premetavanja lastništva, dokler ni v ekipo prišel Zak in potem je bilo vse drugače. V detalje spoznamo napetosti in pritiske od GP2 engine do lanske sezone, ki... jih precej dobro poznamo. e

TL;DR: Fina knjiga o ljubi temi, ki nepotrebno natančno popisuje Zakovo in Landovo še nekončano obdobje in nima nobenega zaključka. Še sreča, da je hrbet lep in bo knjiga lepo izgledala na polici. Neaktualna bo najkasneje konec tekoče sezone.

[Rhys Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time F1 and McLaren fan, I loved the insight into the team’s culture, struggles, and rebuild — it made the highs feel earned. The perspective on the current generation, especially Lando Norris, adds extra heart and makes the book a must-read for McLaren supporters. Ben Hunt tells McLaren’s story with honesty and momentum.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ a perfect and insightful read for any papaya fan.

[Stuart Ayers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting background on the recent resurgence of the McLaren team. Engagingly written.

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5/5

[Rieley Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into the team, the history and their incredible rise in 23/24

[Blanka Kozma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic way to learn about the team's rich history 🧡

[reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Norris focused, but a good read following this years WDC fight

[Liam Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jake Maude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably didn't need to read this - I watched the season. Not a bad read but there's not much special insight on the goings on at McLaren if you already follow F1 closely

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, was nice to see the behind the scenes of McLaren and I was able to read some of the history as well. Is a great read for F1 fans and those who support McLaren

[Jack Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight into McLaren's rise to the top

[Nieve Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is Perfect for those who enjoy an insight into how f1 teams work. It’s good as it shows how pressure affects drives and the teams reaction. 🧡🧡