McLaren end unprecedented 847-day Red Bull run

After weeks of catching up, McLaren overtook Red Bull in the constructors' championship last Sunday, in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

For both teams, an unusual position is now found, with McLaren having not led the standings in some time. Likewise, Red Bull has not found itself in any position other than first, since 2022. 

Red Bull's domination of the constructors' championship dates back to the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, with the Milton Keynes-based outfit having led the standings for 847 days, a run McLaren ended.

Spain 2022

The last time Red Bull failed to lead the constructors' championship was prior to the 2022 Spanish GP. Even during that particular race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the standings were not expected to change.

Charles Leclerc secured pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. George Russell and Sergio Perez completed the top five.

After the start, Russell quickly moved into third place before battling Verstappen. The Dutchman had problems with his rear wing, causing the DRS to occasionally not open. 

This allowed Russell to overtake Verstappen, moving up to second. Meanwhile, Leclerc cruised into the distance, and had a 13-second lead by lap 27. However, a sudden power unit failure saw the Ferrari driver retire from the race

A strategic decision by Red Bull, as well as a crucial overtake by Perez, prevented Russell from fighting back after his pit-stop. Red Bull, ultimately, claimed a one-two. 

The bonus fastest lap point was also secured by Perez, with Red Bull having scored maximum points in Barcelona. Crucially, this saw the team take the lead of both championships. Until the conclusion of the Azerbaijan GP, Red Bull had led the constructors' ever since.

Red Bull topped the standings for 121 weeks and won 34 of the 55 Grands Prix held in that period, whilst 1,880 points were also scored. McLaren, though, is now the team to beat.

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10 years of pain

The last time McLaren led the constructors' championship was over a decade ago. At the first race of the hybrid era in 2014, McLaren finished on the podium with both cars, after Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified. 

It gave McLaren not only an extra podium finish, but also three extra points that allowed the Woking-based team to open the season strongly and immediately take the lead in the championship.

McLaren lost its lead at the following race in Malaysia, where a Mercedes 1-2 saw the Silver Arrows take control. The British team ended up finishing fifth in the standings that season.

A very difficult period soon began for McLaren, as it switched from Mercedes to Honda engines. Its partnership with Honda lasted just three seasons and resulted in the outfit becoming a backmarker.

Switching to Renault power units in 2018 gave the team a much-needed boost, with third in the standings having been achieved in the shortened 2020 campaign. Its return to Mercedes engines though, as seen McLaren return to the top.

McLaren last won the constructors' championship in 1998, with it having finished runner-up on seven occasions since. It is now the favourites for the title this season.