- F1 team McLaren has extended its partnership with Mercedes Benz
- This means that Mercedes will continue to supply McLaren with power units
- Formula 1 pundits argue that McLaren-Mercedes partnership is one of the most successful in Formula 1 history
In a major announcement, F1 team McLaren has extended its partnership with Mercedes Benz to the end of 2030.
This means that Mercedes will continue to supply McLaren with power units for Formula 1 cars.
Following this announcement, Formula 1 pundits argue that the McLaren-Mercedes partnership is one of the most successful in Formula 1 history.
The two teams have won seven world championships together, including four constructors’ championships and three drivers’ championships.
Inside McLaren Mercedes Partnership
The new deal will see Mercedes continue to supply McLaren with its latest F1 power unit technology. The two teams will also work together to develop the next generation of F1 engines, which will be powered by fully sustainable fuel and will have a greater focus on electrical power.
McLaren. Photo/Wikimedia Commons
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren said that they made the decision owing to the reliability that Mercedes has shown over the years.
Extending their partnership is a result of the good relationship they have had as partners and the time is now to make it bigger and better.
“Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team. The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead,” Brown said.
Andrea Stella, Team Principal of McLaren F1 Team added that they have a lot of confidence with the German team.
“We are pleased to confirm a long-term renewal of our power unit deal with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of regulations. We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them,” Stella stated.
Toto Wolff, the Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, expressed his gratitude in partnering with McLaren saying that he is always thrilled at McLaren’s performance.
Wolff explained that McLaren’s improvement in performance for the latter part of the 2023 F1 season is a pointer on why their partnership should continue.
“McLaren have been fierce and fair competitors since 2021, especially in the second half of this season. McLaren’s strong performances underline the importance of transparent and equal supply to all customer teams in the sport, if we wish to achieve the goal of 10 teams capable of fighting for podium finishes,” the Mercedes team principal said.
Mercedes-AMG High-Performance Powertrains Managing Director Hywel Thomas said the partnership offers a new engineering perspective for Mercedes.
“The team at HPP enjoys a long and successful history with McLaren, and we’re delighted to confirm the extension of the relationship into the new regulation cycle. Securing this agreement now, with two full seasons until we race the 2026 power unit, gives us a great opportunity to optimise our combined efforts for lap time. We are looking forward to renewing our relationship and working together towards that goal.”
Lwis Hamilton and his Mercedes W14 car. Photo/Pixabay
Mercedes came in third with 463 points in the 2023 constructors’ title, while McLaren ended fifth with 129 points in the 2023 Formula One season.
While Mercedes performed better with 334 points ahead, McLaren saw an improvement in performance this season. Hamilton won eight races, while McLaren’s greatest performance came in second position at the British Grand Prix.
How Significant is McLaren Mercedes Partnership?
The extension of the McLaren-Mercedes partnership is a significant development for both teams. It will allow McLaren to continue to compete at the highest level of Formula 1, while it will also give Mercedes a valuable partner in the development of the next generation of F1 engines.
With the new deal in place, McLaren and Mercedes are well-positioned for the future of Formula 1. The two teams are confident that they can continue to be successful together and achieve their goals of winning races and championships.
Although Stella is pleased with the progress the team made in 2023, the Italian Engineer acknowledges that the team still has work to do to close the gap to the frontrunners.
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