McLaren Mercedes Engine Switch Hits a Minor Roadblock as FIA Vows to Closely Monitor Situation
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Mclaren team principal Andreas Seidl revealed that the FIA will be closely watching the Woking outfit’s switch to Mercedes power. Due to the Coronavirus crisis and its financial implications, F1 has deferred the 2021 regulations to 2022. However, McLaren can still go ahead with its power unit change for next season.
McLaren – Mercedes switch under close scrutiny
In September last year, McLaren announced its decision to discontinue its partnership with Renault from 2021. As a replacement for the French team, McLaren revealed that Mercedes would be powering its cars from 2021. However, with teams agreeing to carry over their 2020 cars to next year, several fans raised questions on how McLaren would execute the change.
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But McLaren recently confirmed that it would still be moving ahead with the engine switch. Replacing a power unit isn’t a very simple task and requires major accommodations in Mclaren’s 2021 F1 car. Some feared this would create an opportunity to gain an extra advantage. However, Andres Seidl disclosed that the FIA would be keeping a close watch.
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“For sure, there will be restrictions in terms of how good we can integrate this power unit into the current car.
“We have a great relationship with the FIA, that they will monitor very closely.
” We are only allowed to do the changes that are absolutely necessary to install the Mercedes power unit.
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“They will monitor closely that we don’t touch any of the areas in the surroundings of the power unit that will give us, let’s say, additional performance gains, which we fully understand and agree to” Seidl was quoted by GPFans.
Seidl also clarified that a 2021 end to the current season wouldn’t affect its relationship with Renault.
“If that happens, that we are going racing in January, I don’t think there will be any issue regarding our agreement we have with Renault”
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F1 has already canceled or postponed nearly half the races on the 2020 calendar. F1 could extend the season end to next year to fit in a proper Championship.
Mclaren had a positive campaign in 2019 and is taking steps in the right direction. The Woking outfit finished fourth in the Constructors Standings last year and could finish even higher with Mercedes’s power to play with.
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