Will Williams-Ferrari or McLaren-Ferrari ever happen ? | FerrariChat

Will Williams-Ferrari or McLaren-Ferrari ever happen ?

Discussion in 'F1' started by Tifoso1, Apr 4, 2017.

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  1. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #1 Tifoso1, Apr 4, 2017
    I became a F1 fan in the early 80's and will always think of Williams and McLaren as rivals, even on the down years.

    With Honda's current struggle and the rumor that McLaren is talking to Mercedes and not considering doing their own engines ( McLaren rules out building its own F1 engine amid Honda's struggles - F1 - Autosport ), it got me to wonder if the above will above ever become a possibility. Part of me thinks it is almost sacrilegious should this were to happen, but part of me is very interested in seeing the partnership happen. After all, F1 is a business and in the end of the day, anything can happen.

    What does the rest of you think about this ? Please discuss, thanks.
     
  2. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 william, Apr 4, 2017
    For many it would be unthinkable, but who knows ...

    Ferrari has in the past supplied engines under a different badge, like ACER for the Prost team.
     
  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #3 GrigioGuy, Apr 4, 2017

    And Petronas for Sauber.

    There's even been a Ferrari-powered "BMW Sauber" in F1

    I could see Williams, but I don't think McLaren.
     
  4. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 william, Apr 4, 2017
    Well, having said that, Ron Dennis has left McLaren, and he was the one who would have objected to having anything to do with "the bloody red cars".

    Zak Brown may be more pragmatic on the subject.
     
  5. scudF1

    scudF1 F1 Rookie
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    #5 scudF1, Apr 4, 2017
    Considering what's happening with McLaren, anything is possible.
     
  6. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #6 Tifoso1, Apr 4, 2017
    I remember all of those re-badged Ferrari engines. But supplying engines to Prost is one thing, engines to Williams or McLaren is IMO, an entirely different story, officially or re-badged.

    Since you have the BMW Sauber in quotation, I think it is safe to say that you are well aware that it was done for monetary reason. Plus Sauber had a history with Ferrari engines in the past before BMW took over the team from Peter Sauber. There are three names in the past that I have a hard time seeing Ferrari engines in, Lotus, Williams and McLaren. I do agree that Williams is most likely out of those three.
     
  7. DeSoto

    DeSoto F1 Veteran

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    #7 DeSoto, Apr 4, 2017
    For McLaren it wouldn´t make much sense as they´re selling road cars in the same niche market than Ferrari. About Williams, right now they´ve strong ties with Mercedes through Toto Wolff, so I doubt it could happen, but who knows in the future.
     
  8. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

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    #8 spirot, Apr 4, 2017
    Williams Maserati has a nice sound to it Maclaren Alfa Romeo ?
     
  9. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    #9 375+, Apr 4, 2017
    There already has been a McLaren/Alfa Romeo, not a great success.
     
  10. rmani

    rmani F1 Veteran
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    #10 rmani, Apr 4, 2017
    Mclaren needs to man up and build their owm engines
     
  11. tervuren

    tervuren Formula 3

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    #11 tervuren, Apr 4, 2017
    Look how quick Red Bull was to dump to Ferrari engines.

    Ferrari is not a team for aspiring #1's to have as engine supplier.

    Ferrari tends to dial in just enough unreliable, that if you build a better car, Ferrari still beats you.
     
  12. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #12 Tifoso1, Apr 4, 2017
    Really? Do you remember what year and who were the drivers ? Thanks.
     
  13. 444sp

    444sp Formula Junior

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    #13 444sp, Apr 4, 2017
    I think you are confusing with Brabham Alfa Romeo in the end of 70s.

    The Alfa Romeo team of the beginning of the 80s had the publicity of Malboro just like Mc Laren but they were two different teams
     
  14. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

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    #14 subirg, Apr 5, 2017
    No for McLaren - it would undermine their road car division

    Yes for Williams. Whilst in the past, they were very strong and often beat Ferrari on track, they are now a faded star and a solid mid pack team, so why not have a Ferrari engine if the deal is right. They would be mad to dump Merc engines though… Especially as they are essentially free given the Bottas trade.
     
  15. NEP

    NEP F1 Rookie

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    #15 NEP, Apr 5, 2017
    If Ferrari does capitulate, they would only supply the previous generation engine.

    Ferrari refused Red Bull Racing their engines, because they knew RBR would leapfrog them (RBR did anyway with their "Trick Suspension").
     
  16. Flavio_C

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    #16 Flavio_C, Apr 5, 2017
    I can see Sergio Maccaronni supplying Williams or Mclaren engines badged Alfa Romeo.
     
  17. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 william, Apr 5, 2017
    So, a Ferrari engine on a McLaren would undermine their road car division, but a Mercedes or Honda engine is OK?
     
  18. NEP

    NEP F1 Rookie

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    #18 NEP, Apr 5, 2017


    Formally under Ron Denis that would be sacrilege.

    Today, who knows?
     
  19. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #19 Bas, Apr 5, 2017
    Mclaren absolutely not. That'll never happen. They compete in road cars and are fierce rivals in F1. That's like Mercedes racing with a BMW engine.

    Williams...maybe. Williams is and will be a garagiste.

    As mentioned, Ferrari has supplied engines with a different sticker on the engine cover to different teams, but those where all garagistes, very unlikely to challenge.
     
  20. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #20 4rePhill, Apr 5, 2017
    As I understand the current power-unit supply rules, were Honda to walk away from F1, and McLaren were unable to convince Mercedes, Renault or Ferrari to provide them a power unit for the following season, all three names would be put into a lucky dip, and the name pulled out would have to supply the power-unit.

    Were the name pulled out to be Ferrari's, they wouldn't be allowed to refuse to supply McLaren due to contractual obligations, and McLaren would not be allowed to refuse to accept Ferrari power-units as they would not be allowed to compete without them.

    So whilst it's highly unlikely in McLaren's case, it's also not impossible!
     
  21. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #21 Bas, Apr 5, 2017
    So the only way it could happen (realistically) is by luck of the draw, then ;)
     
  22. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

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    #22 Tifoso1, Apr 5, 2017
    Great rule!! The rule makes tremendous amount of sense as it would insure any team to have a engine supplier.

    I kind of don't buy the McLaren will not use Ferrari engine because of their road car programs. McLaren is using Honda engines and the NSX can be considered as a direct competitor to their road cars. Mercedes also has plenty of high end road cars, while they may not be mid-engine layout, but they can compete in the same market segment as the McLarens.
     
  23. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #23 4rePhill, Apr 5, 2017
    That's the idea of the rule, to ensure that no team can be left stranded without an engine supplier.

    To be fair, with the new management at McLaren, I could see them actually wanting Ferrari engines because it would be a massive: "THIS IS NO LONGER RON DENNIS' TEAM!" message to the World.

    (And it might even convince Ron Dennis to sell up his 25% ownership! ;) )
     
  24. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
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    #24 intrepidcva11, Apr 5, 2017
    Ferrari is presently supplying engines for Sauber and Hass
     
  25. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

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    #25 spirot, Apr 6, 2017
    I forgot about that... it was back in the late 60's with Bruce McLaren... did not work out well... he also used several other engines until he could get a DFV
     
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