Mercedes’ MD Details the List of Challenges Team Are Facing With Mclaren F1 Partnership.
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Mercedes’ MD Details the List of Challenges Team Are Facing With Mclaren F1 Partnership.
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 drives during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 drives during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
McLaren will enter the 2021 grid with a Mercedes power unit. After their best result since 2012 last season, the Woking outfit is looking to continue the momentum and deliver another top-three finish this season. Therefore, the team switched their engine manufacturer from Renault to Mercedes for 2021.
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However, the coming season will not be easy on engine manufacturers. Lesser testing hours, just one engine upgrade, a longer F1 season, all possess multiple hurdles for power unit providers.
The Brackley squad have four customer teams next season. Their Managing Director, Hywel Thomas, explained the challenges the team are facing because of this.
“Because we don’t get this time back and we need it to ensure that we can get the last bit of performance and reliability out of the power unit.”
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal. McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Jorge Guerrero
“That presents us with a number of challenges: How can we build the engines and be more effective and productive in the process? But we have plans to build the extra 25 percent without it having a huge impact on what we put on the track,” he explained.
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Why did Mercedes and McLaren come together?
McLaren has a rich racing legacy in Formula 1. However, over the last decade, the team has been going through a rough time. The Woking outfit want to get back to the old days and challenge for championships again.
“It’s the perfect scenario for both sides. McLaren get a powerful and reliable engine that has dominated the hybrid turbo era and gives them an extra string in the bow as they bid to return to their race-winning days.”
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
“For Mercedes, they get another customer that makes good business sense and an advantage to run more engines. It also strengthens their ties with another of F1’s independent teams,” states a report.
The last partnership of McLaren and Mercedes was very successful. They scored 78 Grand Prix victories, three driver championships, and one constructor title as well. Thus, giving this partnership another go makes good sense for both the teams.
Do you believe this collaboration will help bring McLaren more podiums in the coming seasons?
