McLaren-Mercedes engine

[hiroofheroes]

For 2013 with the new engine regulations I wouldn't be surprised if Mclaren try out a number of powerplants before settling for one - the mercedes deal is after all just an option at that point - they could go for an in house design, or possibly go for a partnership with a different engine manufacturer such as Honda, who are likely to re-enter the sport (solely as an engine manufacturer) under the new regulations.

It's not cheap to continuously develop an engine, so it may be better for McLaren to split costs with an engine supplier than do it all themselves.

 

[Glaucus]

True, hadn't thought of that. They've got what 4 and a half years to get an F1 engine ready and as the F1 engine wouldn't be used in F1 until 2016 they must be outside the engine regulations?

Yeah no regulations yet, but with such a big engine change and looking at the direction the sports taking, they have a pretty good idea on what to research and develop.

However their contract means they can renew with merc if they wish. so any split would be down to choice, not forced.

 

[MarcLister]

For 2013 with the new engine regulations I wouldn't be surprised if Mclaren try out a number of powerplants before settling for one - the mercedes deal is after all just an option at that point - they could go for an in house design, or possibly go for a partnership with a different engine manufacturer such as Honda, who are likely to re-enter the sport (solely as an engine manufacturer) under the new regulations.

I can't see McLaren signing a deal with an engine maker already in F1, apart from an extension of the Mercedes deal. I would have thought it more likely they'd go it alone or hook up with Honda or someone similar who's had F1 experience recently, won races and titles and isn't in F1 now.

It's not cheap to continuously develop an engine, so it may be better for McLaren to split costs with an engine supplier than do it all themselves.

Nothing to stop McLaren developing an engine then selling it off to smaller teams? Like Force India and perhaps some of the newer teams (i.e. the newer teams in 2015/2016 not now).

Yeah no regulations yet, but with such a big engine change and looking at the direction the sports taking, they have a pretty good idea on what to research and develop.

Yep. Wouldn't have thought the other teams would like the idea of McLaren developing a new engine for 5 years outside the rules though.

However their contract means they can renew with merc if they wish. so any split would be down to choice, not forced.

Hmm I thought that McLaren and Mercedes were definitely splitting after 2015? Or is it that their current contract ends in 2015 and so a new one would have to be negotiated to extend the deal?

I really thought that from the language used by both McLaren and Mercedes around the time of announcing the split that after 2015 that was it for their collaboration.

 

[speedalini]

YES! Thank you.

Why would you say that then? For bringing everything in house and having greater control over the engine? Saving money? Just want to see why other people share the same idiotic idea as a deluded soul like me.

I think the reason for the split was because McLaren want to go head to head with Ferrari and build their own road cars, which also brings them into direct competition with Mercedes.

I would have thought using their own F1 engine (like Ferrari) would be a good way of marketing their road cars. With the deal running out at the end of 2014 they would have up to 2 years using the new Merc engine in F1. They would have enough time to develop their own engine once the rules are defined and before the engine deal runs out.

 

[Glaucus]

Hmm I thought that McLaren and Mercedes were definitely splitting after 2015? Or is it that their current contract ends in 2015 and so a new one would have to be negotiated to extend the deal?

As far as I remember it ends in 2015 with an option to extend if they wish.

I think the collabration bit, is more to do with any future engine design will be tailored to the mercedesGP team and not mclaren.

 

[GeezerButler]

A return to the McLaren-Honda glory days would be great.

McLaren - BMW worked well on the F1. And partnering with BMW would really put Mercedes nose out of joint!

Whatever they do I hope they dump the silver colour scheme once Mercedes are out of the picture and go for a real McLaren colour - CanAm Orange!

 

[Alibaba99]

A return to the McLaren-Honda glory days would be great.

McLaren - BMW worked well on the F1. And partnering with BMW would really put Mercedes nose out of joint!

Whatever they do I hope they dump the silver colour scheme once Mercedes are out of the picture and go for a real McLaren colour - CanAm Orange!

The current silver is a McLaren colour and wasn't influenced by Mercedes.

 

[dalin80]

i think they should bite the bullet and develop their own engines for the next big spec change, the sooner they do it the sooner they will get on top of the problems such a switch will produce.

To be honest I wouldnt be surprised if mclaren havent already head hunted a few folk from the f1 engine circle already.

 

[GeezerButler]

The current silver is a McLaren colour and wasn't influenced by Mercedes.

Silver is still inextricably linked with Mercedes. McLaren should use their historic orange as a statement of their independence! Of course, this is F1 and I'm sure any potential sponsors will have something to say about it...maybe McLaren could switch from Vodafone to Orange

 

[FrankJH]

Cant really go Vodafone red I guess lol

 

[Duke]

Could always go for T-Mobile

 

[speedalini]

there was a rumour of McLaren buying BMWs old engine dept, not heard anything since so i assumed nothing ever happened.

Yeah I heard that one too, all gone a bit quiet since