Alastair Caldwell was the McLaren’s Chief Mechanic and Team Manager in their most successful years of ’74 and ’76.  This website tells the inside stories of Formula 1 racing during a time of great change and excitement.

Read about Alastair’s childhood growing up in New Zealand, evading the police after illegal street races and skipping school to play pool and work on cars.

In 1967 Alastair returned to England and took a job as a cleaner at McLaren.  Find out how he ascended to Team manager and the boss of racing legends such as Nelson Piquet and James Hunt.

In the eighties Alastair started Space Station, a self storage company in the UK.  Learn how he went from motor racing to storage, taking inspiration from his travels.

Lots more information and stories can be found about Alastair in Alastair: The Man section.

• Complete timeline from '43 to present

Alastair is a legend in the World of Formula 1, having worked for McLaren, ATS and Brabhams and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Bruce McLaren, Teddy Mayer, Bernie Ecclestone and Denny Hulme.

Alastair’s contribution to the world of Formula 1 was vast and included inventing the six-speed gearbox and the air-starter, as well as being the first person to put skirts on Formula 1 racing cars.

Alastair was the boss of racing Legend James Hunt.  He has stories about Hunt’s exploits, how he motivated him to drive faster, and the reason why they cut the ends off all his shoes.

• Formula 1 section

After leaving Formula 1 racing and starting Space Station Alastair got behind the wheel of his wife’s car and became heavily involved in the world of historic rallying. 

Read about his adventures, cars, and scrapes in the historic rallying section as he tears across Scotland, South America, the UK, and Norway.

Also find out about Alastair’s cars: from the legendary Cucaracha, the ‘Tarts car’, and the Rolls Royce.

• Historic rallying section