Who Founded McLaren Automotive?

Bruce McLaren founded the company in 1963. As an absolutely brilliant, fiercely competitive racing driver and engineer, he built the company entirely to dominate Formula 1 and Can-Am racing. He pioneered massive advancements in aerodynamics and lightweight materials before tragically dying in a crash while testing one of his own cars in 1970.

Bruce McLaren was born in 1937 in Auckland.

Bruce Leslie McLaren was born on August 30, 1937 and died on June 2, 1970. He raced in Formula One from 1958 to 1970, winning four Grands Prix, and won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with Chris Amon in a Ford GT40. He founded Bruce McLaren Motor Racing in 1963.

Ron Dennis took over McLaren in 1980 and completely transformed it. He introduced the absolute game-changing carbon-fiber monocoque chassis to Formula 1. More importantly, he founded McLaren Automotive in 1985 to translate racing technology to the street, creating the legendary McLaren F1 (the fastest production car in the world for over a decade).

Ron Dennis was born in 1947 in Woking. Education: Guildford College.

Sir Ronald Dennis was born on June 1, 1947. He was team principal, chief executive and co-owner of McLaren in Formula One from 1981 to 2009, winning seven constructors' championships, and chaired McLaren Group between 1985 and 2017. He began his career as a mechanic.