The Bruce McLaren story: A life measured in achievement, not in years alone

The Bruce McLaren story: A life measured in achievement, not in years alone

Colossally is back, and Matt and Richard are kicking off season 4 with an in-depth look at the extraordinary life of Bruce McLaren, the man who founded and gave his name to this year's constructors' world champions, but who possibly remains a bit of an enigma to some modern F1 fans, having died in 1970.


In this episode we trace Bruce's remarkable journey to motor racing immortality, explaining how a humble boy from New Zealand, who spent much of his youth confined to bed with a debilitating hip disorder, rose to the top of global motor racing, first as a Grand Prix-winning driver and then as a race-winning team owner and constructor.


Along the way Matt and Richard discuss the defining moments of Bruce's racing career, explain the origins of his team's famous papaya livery, and assess the attributes that made him special, not just a driver, but as an engineer and leader of men.


The impact of Bruce's untimely death, resulting from a crash while testing in 1970, is also covered in poignant detail, with Matt sharing a pair of anecdotes that illustrate how a shell-shocked McLaren team grittily persevered after his passing and how Bruce's legacy has been honoured by those who've led the team in the modern era.


Want to get the end-of-season Colossally bonus episode and every episode ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier!

Check out the new Colossally items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(43)

The tragic coronations of America's only F1 champions, Hill and Andretti

The tragic coronations of America's only F1 champions, Hill and Andretti

For the season finale of And Colossally That's History, Matt and Richard tell the twin stories of Phil Hill and Mario Andretti; two American drivers who couldn't have been more different, but who'll b...

19 Des 20251h 29min

20+ hours at the wheel - 6 of the craziest Le Mans drives

20+ hours at the wheel - 6 of the craziest Le Mans drives

As we near the end of another marathon year of motor racing, Matt and Richard thought it was the perfect time to reminisce about marathon performances at motor racing’s most celebrated test of enduran...

12 Des 202558min

The Triple Crown champion - Remembering Graham Hill

The Triple Crown champion - Remembering Graham Hill

On the latest episode of And Colossally That’s History, Matt Bishop and Richard Williams raise a glass to Graham Hill, killed 50 years ago this week, along with five members of his team, in a light ai...

29 Nov 20251h 14min

Robert Kubica - The lost champion of F1’s modern era

Robert Kubica - The lost champion of F1’s modern era

On the latest episode of And Colossally That's History, Matt and Richard reflect on the career of Robert Kubica, regarded by many as the lost champion of F1’s modern era.They describe Robert's path to...

21 Nov 202556min

The highs and lows of Honda's rollercoaster F1 journey

The highs and lows of Honda's rollercoaster F1 journey

The latest episode of And Colossally That’s History tells the rollercoaster story of Honda’s involvement in Formula 1.Join Matt Bishop and Richard Williams as they explain how founder Soichuro Honda’s...

14 Nov 20251h 16min

Jack Brabham's unique achievement - and why it'll never be matched

Jack Brabham's unique achievement - and why it'll never be matched

On this week’s Colossally, Matt and Richard reappraise the career of a driver whose unique achievement in winning the F1 world championship in a self-built machine bearing his own name will likely sta...

7 Nov 20251h

Brazil 2008: The title showdown that had it all

Brazil 2008: The title showdown that had it all

As F1 2025 heads towards a spectacular conclusion, we wind the clock back to arguably the greatest title showdown of them all, which happened 17 years ago this coming Sunday: Brazil 2008.It's a race t...

31 Okt 202559min

The amazing story of F1’s craziest track - and why grand prix racing never went back

The amazing story of F1’s craziest track - and why grand prix racing never went back

Pescara, a seaside town halfway down Italy’s Adriatic coast, stands proudly in the record books for having been home to the longest track ever used in Formula 1.Made up of 15.9 miles of country roads,...

24 Okt 20251h 5min

Populært innen Fritid

rss-spartsklubben
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
mil-etter-mil-en-podcast-om-bil
nerdelandslaget
interiorradet
0-100-med-broom-mats-og-remi
rss-gatebilpodden
jegerpodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
rss-avskiltet
rss-jegerpodden
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
level-backup
rss-jeg-fikser-vin
menn-uten-midje-kan-ogsa-lese
villmarksliv
klokkepodden
hagespiren-podcast
rss-scooch-pod
fjellsportpodden