McLaren press on with Mercedes engine switch despite crisis

McLaren has confirmed it is to push ahead with its planned power unit switch for the 2021 Formula 1 season despite the regulation freeze.

F1 bosses confirmed last week that due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the planned introduction of its major rules overhaul for 2020 would now be postponed until the following year.

That drew into focus McLaren's pursuit of a change of power unit partner, with the Woking-based team to end what will be a three-year partnership with Renault and join forces again with Mercedes.

Via a statement, the team said: “We will be using the Mercedes engine in 2021 as planned and we will accommodate it in the current base chassis.”

The difficulty for McLaren will be in fitting the Mercedes system into that chassis, particularly as the Renault system is likely to be different in numerous areas.

The positive, though, is that with the FIA announcement last week, the team at least has a considerable period of time on which to work on the programme.

McLaren previously enjoyed a 20-year relationship with Mercedes, from 1995 through to 2014, winning the constructors' title together in 1998, as well as drivers' titles that year and in 1999 with Mika Hakkinen at the wheel, and with Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

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