Prior to its final weekend in Formula E, McLaren Team Principal Ian James spoke exclusively to Fastest Formula News, reflecting on the team’s journey.
Interview conducted by James Phillips and Fleur Rogerson
Arriving at the McLaren garage on Friday ahead of qualifying, the atmosphere was one of calm and discipline.
Team Principal Ian James greets us at the rear entrance, offering to have our conversation in the pits. Walking through the garage, the cars were not yet back from scrutineering. Two large spaces dominate the garage as we arrive in a pit lane.
The pit lane prepared to wake up once again for the penultimate qualifying session of the year. A deafening silence filled the Excel arena.
Sitting on the pit wall, we start our conversation. James is already aware that this is one of the last interviews he will have before the team winds down.
An emotional weekend for Ian James and McLaren
Our first question is on the team’s emotions ahead of its final two races. James revealed when he informed the team of its impending shutdown, and how the crew reacted.
“We’re trying to keep them in check, if I’m honest with you at the moment” he admitted. “It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster over the past few weeks, as you can imagine. But we actually informed the team of the situation just before Berlin, a few days before Berlin.
“And I said at the time that I wasn’t going to patronise them by saying, right, we’ve given you this news and now we’re going to get your heads back in the game.
“But I knew going into Berlin that we might just need to sort of reset things a little bit. Didn’t need to do that at all. It’s such a group of absolute professionals that they’re just executing.
“You wouldn’t have noticed any difference, the execution was absolutely on point. So coming into this weekend in London, I think, yes, the emotions are going to be even more acute now.
“But at the same time, I’ve got absolutely no fear whatsoever that anybody’s going to be anything other than giving it their 100% and making sure that we can end the season on a high.”
Ian James on a legacy for McLaren in Formula E
McLaren exits Formula E with a record of 10 podiums and 6 pole positions. Its sole victory in the series came courtesy of Sam Bird at the 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix. A last-lap do-or-die pass on the Jaguar of Mitch Evans from the Briton sealed the victory.
Asked what the team’s legacy will be beyond the statistics, Ian James said he is “incredibly proud” of what McLaren achieved since taking over the Mercedes team in 2022, praising his team’s work ethic.
“I think the last three years, we’ve seen us improve every race that we’ve been involved in. I think that we brought the McLaren brand to the championship. From a motorsport perspective, as we sit here today, there is no brand quite like it in terms of the championships, which is competing.
“And despite the fact that we’re very sad that McLaren’s leaving the championship, I think we actually need to celebrate what has been achieved.
“We’re incredibly proud of not only the achievements that we’ve made, obviously the highlights have been around the win for Sam in Sao Paulo, and the progress actually that we’ve made over the course of this season as well to put ourselves in a much, much stronger position.”
“But it’s the approach that we’ve taken throughout, the professionalism of the team, the fact that it’s held in such high regard here in the paddock, it’s testament to each one of the men and women that work within the team.
“And that, if nothing else, is going to be our greatest race as a team.
One moment to remember?
Amongst all the memories of the previous three years, Ian James hoped the most iconic of all would happen over the finale weekend.
He admitted the year had been a “bruising” one. Taylor Barnard missed out on victory several times, while Sam Bird has been maligned with issues. He did however, for “poetic justice”.
“I was asked this question yesterday, and I’d like to think that the highlight of the three years in total is yet to come. So this weekend needs to deliver the highlights.
“And maybe if we can switch the one, two, three between the drivers. That’s been my idea. And then, not only have we had a phenomenal result and achieved our goals of P2 and P3, but actually it could be P2 and P3 if we did that, but we’ve put ourselves in a situation where we’ve got not only the youngest ever Formula E winner, but the oldest ever Formula E winner as well.
“And that would be one hell of a poetic end to what’s been a pretty bruising, but still good fun season.”
What will Ian James miss from McLaren?
When Fastest Formula News spoke exclusively with Sam on Thursday, one of his highest compliments was for the environment inside the team at McLaren.
Asked about what he will miss most after the season, Ian James praised his team’s professionalism.
‘Yeah, I think the camaraderie, the professionalism, the passion that everybody has for what they do. As I said before, it’s not just the achievements that you reach, it’s the way in which you actually make them. I think for me, that’s been key to being crucial.
He revealed his pride at the team from Bicester, he said he had one overriding message for them ahead of their final races.
I’m immensely proud of the whole team. We have two mottos, two mantras that we’ve used throughout. And this goes back the last six or seven years, not just the last three,
Controllable and operational excellence. And the third one, which I’ve kind of added, although not officially, but I’m going to make it official this weekend, is let’s f****ng do this. Let’s just get out and smash it.
“So keeping it simple like that, keeping that focus. And to me, as difficult as the last few weeks have been, that’s really shown the character of the team. And that’s something which is very special indeed.
A final playlist
A characteristic of the Formula E pit lane is the various (and sometimes questionable) music that reverberates from the garages. McLaren is no exception.
Competition for playlist excellence in the pit lane is fierce. For our final question, we asked if McLaren felt they had the best playlist. Ian James’ answer was honest, with a slight dig at his rivals.
“You know what, there’s so many different playlists. We tend to, actually there was a former team member, who I met reasonably recently, Rehart, who actually used to control the playlist, and had some pretty good, eclectic, but pretty good taste in music.
“Honestly, I think we’ve got an amazing playlist. It’s now fairly democratic in terms of the way that’s shared about.
“I’m glad that we don’t have the Euro-pop, Euro-trash of the French teams, and I’m glad that we don’t have that slightly hardcore techno of the German-based teams. I’m understandably biased, but without a doubt, we have the best playlist.”
