Renault and McLaren, the end of an engine supplier – constructor collaboration
If McLaren finishes this 2020 season with a very nice third place in the Constructors' Championship, the team is also turning a page on the engine side and ending its collaboration with Renault.
The suspense regarding the battle for the third place in the Constructors’ Championship lived up to all its promises. Three teams were neck and neck, and in the end, it was the British team from Woking that edged out Racing Point and Renault F1 Team.
WHEEEEEEEYYYYYY! ????#AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/yN0STOHDeg
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 13, 2020
On September 28, 2019, McLaren announced the return of Mercedes as the official engine supplier for the orange single-seaters starting from the 2021 season. This new collaboration between McLaren and Mercedes revives memories of a glorious shared history. Indeed, between 1995 and 2014, this partnership led the McLaren team to 76 poles, 78 victories, and a constructors’ title in 1998, all crowned with three drivers’ championship titles (Häkkinen 2 – Hamilton 1).
Mercedes is the reference…
The return of the Mercedes engine block in the heart of the orange single-seater aims to bring the team back to the forefront, and even to victories in Grand Prix races.
«This agreement is an important step in our long-term plan to regain success in Formula 1. Mercedes is the benchmark, both as a team and as a power unit, and it is therefore natural that we seek to establish a relationship with them for the next phase of our history. This announcement reflects the confidence of our shareholders and sends an important message to our investors, employees, partners, and fans that we are committed to bringing McLaren back to the forefront » stated Zak Brown, executive director of the team.
It is also worth mentioning the arrival of Daniel Ricciardo next year, as he will replace Carlos Sainz Junior who is leaving for Ferrari. The Australian is a reliable force in the F1 lineup, and his experience will be beneficial to the team as well as to his future teammate Lando Norris (21 years old).
For its part, the French brand finishes the season with an honorable third place in the engine manufacturers’ standings (only 4 Renault-powered single-seaters), just behind Mercedes and Honda. Next year, the diamond brand’s engine will, for now, only be present in the two Alpine cars of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon.
