The partnership that saw the crowning of three Drivers Championships and one Constructors Championship is set to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2021. McLaren have signed a multi-year contract to receive Mercedes engines from 2021 to at least 2024, could this be the step needed to bring McLaren back to the front of the grid?
This contract would result in Renault F1 Team only supplying engines to themselves, could this lead to more concentrated research and therefore stronger Renault power? Or would the reduction in feedback from another team result in a slump in performance?
McLaren are on route to the front of the grid, currently they sit in fourth place, 22 points ahead of their closest rivals at Renault. Could a Mercedes engine see them charging down the Red Bulls?
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After a number of changes at McLaren, led by Zak Brown, the Woking based team is beginning to see a change in fortune aided nicely by the young, talented driver pairing of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris.
McLaren's Zak Brown had this to say, "This agreement is an important step in our long-term plan to return to success in Formula 1. 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."
But that phase of McLaren's journey will have to wait for a year, as the papaya coloured team are still contracted to use Renault engines for 2020, but as the regulation changes occur for 2021, the Mercedes engine deal has arrived at a vital moment for the British team.
Only time will tell what is in store for McLaren, but with such a vital engine, 2021 could see a four way battle to the championship!
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