MCLARENMERCEDES: THE RETURN OF AN ICON
Mclaren has come more or less full circle in seven years. Having ended its deal with Mercedes at the end of 2014, it now finds itself using the Silver Arrows’ engines again in 2021.
The decision to leave Mercedes and sign with Honda was made on the basis of a belief that it was not possible to win without a works engine. But since then the landscape at Mclaren has changed, and so has that of F1. The Honda deal failed to produce results and ended acrimoniously. Ron Dennis was ousted as Mclaren chairman in 2017, and Liberty Media has taken over the championship and introduced a budget cap.
Now, Mclaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andreas Seidl believe a customer engine should not be a barrier to success under the new rules from 2022. In any case, a works deal is not available.
Seidl’s thinking in going after Mercedes was simple – if we can get the best engine, why wouldn’t we have it? Not only has the Mercedes set the performance standard through the hybrid era, but it also brings weight and packaging benefits that aid holistic car performance.
A compromise with the FIA as part of the rule changes instigated by the Covid crisis at the start of 2020 means Mclaren had to forego the two development tokens allowed to the other teams for changes to cars outside aerodynamics into 2021, because of the modifications required to fit the new engine.
Production director Piers Thynne says these are extensive enough that this year’s model is “essentially a new car”. The Mercedes engine in itself should offer a step forward in performance. And with aero development remaining free, Mclaren is hopeful of at least holding its position in the fight at the head of the midfield in 2021.