Tyler James Alexander (TJA), a pioneering figure in motorsports, co-founded the McLaren F1 Team in 1963, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. In a career spanning over 50 years, Tyler experienced the highs and lows of motor racing—triumphs, disasters, pressure, overcoming failures, and personal losses. As a passionate team player with a keen sense of humour, his "Tyler-isms" became part of racing folklore.
Born in 1940 in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Tyler's perfectionism and motivational skills led McLaren to Can-Am and Indy 500 victories. Notable engineers like Adrian Newey and Ross Brawn passed through his stable, acknowledging his mentorship. Tyler's legacy endures through a vast photo library and engineering notes. His impact extends beyond racing, influencing innovations in healthcare, defence, and more.
On 7th January 2016 Tyler died, but his spirit lives on through his huge and important library of photos (he was a keen photographer), and an engineering legacy of notes, documents and drawings that reflect not just one man's achievements, but the arc of evolution and development of international motor racing.