mario andretti

McLaren enters the 2026 season after securing their second consecutive Teams' Championship, finishing with a significant 364-point lead over Mercedes. Lando Norris ended Max Verstappen's four-year reign as World Champion, marking a pivotal shift in Formula 1 dynamics. The article explores historical instances where new champions disrupted established dynasties, highlighting key moments from F1 history, including victories by Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, and Fernando Alonso. As McLaren aims to maintain their momentum amidst upcoming technical changes, the question remains whether they can sustain their success against emerging competitors like Red Bull and Verstappen.