Following rumours on Friday, McLaren and Mercedes have confirmed they will once again team up from 2021.
The pair have a storied history having won two Formula 1 titles together via Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and 1999 during a 19-year partnership which ended in 2014.
At the time, McLaren sought to capitalise on an exclusive engine deal with Honda, considering it as their best chance to beat the manufacturers.
However, after three difficult years, they would split with the Woking-based outfit switching to current supplier Renault in 2018.
Less than two years into that deal though, McLaren will once again rekindle the partnership with whom they are most synonymous among the current generation of fans with Mercedes.
“This agreement is an important step in our long-term plan to return to success in Formula 1,” CEO Zak Brown stated.
“Mercedes is the benchmark, both as a team and a power unit, so it is natural we would seek to secure a relationship with the company for the next phase of our journey.
“This announcement reflects the confidence of our shareholders and is an important message to our investors, our team, partners and fans that we are committed to returning McLaren to the front of the field.”
Also Read:
- Seidl: McLaren has everything in place for success if 2021 rules work
- Mercedes: Some pushing 2021 changes for competitive gain, not to improve F1
McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl echoed the sentiment of his boss but also didn’t lose sight of the ongoing battle.
“2021 will be an important milestone for us as we continue our fight back to the front, so it is vital that we have the key elements in place now to enable us to prepare for the new era of the sport,” said the German.
“We look forward to renewing our Mercedes relationship from 2021 onwards. At the same time, Renault remains both a valued partner as well as a formidable competitor.
“We will be focused on continuing our collaboration through the rest of this season and next.”
For Mercedes, this deal will increase their number of customer teams to three with Williams having also recently announced a new extension until 2025.
And motorsport boss Toto Wolff welcomes the competition McLaren will provide.
“We are delighted to welcome McLaren back to the Mercedes-Benz racing family with this new power unit supply agreement,” he said.
“Although the two brands share a prestigious history, this new agreement is all about looking to the future and beginning a new era of power unit supply for the years ahead.
“McLaren have been putting in place the building blocks of their revival over recent seasons, including impressive performances this season with Renault power and we hope that this new long-term agreement marks another milestone for McLaren as they aim to take the fight to the sport’s top teams, including our Mercedes works team.”
The new McLaren Mercedes partnership is set to run initially until the end of 2024.