McLaren

McLaren confirms switch to Mercedes power from Renault

A huge move!

Matthew Scott

Saturday 28 September 2019 10:22

McLaren and Mercedes have confirmed they will re-enter in a partnership in Formula 1 from the 2021 season.

After leaving Mercedes' supply at the end of 2014, McLaren have entered in partnerships with Honda and Renault, with results a far cry from the team's glory years.

A fourth-placed finish in the constructors' championship is a possibility in 2019 as McLaren's recovery goes on amid the high-profile appointments of Andreas Seidl as team principal and James Key as technical director.

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McLaren will take Mercedes' power units until at least 2024, although the deal is described as a "long-term agreement" by the team.

Zak Brown said: "Mercedes is the benchmark, both as a team and a power unit, so it is natural we would seek to secure a relationship with the company for the next phase of our journey.

"This announcement reflects the confidence of our shareholders and is an important message to our investors, our team, partners and fans that we are committed to returning McLaren to the front of the field."

McLaren and Mercedes were partners from 1995 to 2014, with three drivers' titles, a constructors' championship and 78 of the team's 182 grand prix victories delivered in that time.

Although McLaren started the V6 Hybrid era with Mercedes' supply, results did not pick up as they did so spectacularly for the works team, as well as Williams, who were third in the 2014 constructors' standings.

By contrast, McLaren's only podium finishes came in the first race of that season in Australia and the team has not taken to the rostrum since.

The Silver Arrows' boss Toto Wolff added: "McLaren have been putting in place the building blocks of their revival over recent seasons, including impressive performances this season with Renault power.

"We hope that this new long-term agreement marks another milestone for McLaren as they aim to take the fight to the sport’s top teams, including our Mercedes works team."

Williams recently confirmed they will remain Mercedes customers until 2025 and it remains to be seen if McLaren coming on-board will impact Racing Point's supply from the Silver Arrows.

Similarly, if Renault do not have a customer in 2021, it may focus attentions in a campaign that the French manufacturer has targeted a title challenge of its own.