McLaren set sights on challenging Mercedes after engine deal

McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident that a return to Mercedes power in 2021 can put the Woking squad back in the mix for title success.

Lewis Hamilton's 2008 drivers' title is the only championship success in 20 years for McLaren, who remain F1's second-most successful constructor in history behind Ferrari.

Deals with Honda and Renault failed to McLaren back into contention and their last pole positions, podium and victory were all taken with Mercedes power.

Having confirmed the McLaren-Mercedes relationship will be resumed in two seasons' time, Brown has no doubt that the Silver Arrows will offer them the same power available to the championship-winning works team.

Brown said: "You can look at the telemetry, it's clear that's what in Mercedes Grand Prix cars is the same in the Williams and Racing Point cars.

"If we do a very good job with our team, execute, our drivers do a good job then I think we can [challenge Mercedes], but I think you're going to have to be on your A game."

However, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl says the full impact of teaming with Mercedes may not be felt until the effects of the new 2021 regulations and budget cap have been felt.

"We need to be realistic. The next target is to make the next step next year, hopefully we can jump in terms of performance or lap time somewhere between where we are now and the top teams," Seidl said.

"From 2021 onwards the new regulations are kicking in but we need to be realistic. The three top teams are not just there because of having more money. They simply do a better job also and they will keep doing a better job.

"It's important to take the next step as a team, to do a better job. And of course it's important at some point that we all have the same resources."

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