McLaren: Mercedes Relation Dissolution Inevitable

Not sure I agree with that 100%. While it could have had something to do with it, I'm sure Mercedes didn't give up that revenue stream just because they were jealous that McLaren might beat them. McLaren winning with Mercedes engines still gives MB something to brag about, even if it isn't the AMG Petronas team.

 

I'm just saying the industry & sport aren't cut-and-dry like that. For all we know, McLaren was proactively in the works with Honda - who they've had great success with in the past - as opposed to Mercedes being the ones to pull the rug out.

The weight that the MB factory team's rise had on the decision is certainly debatable, but they did not anticipate doing as well as they have this season. It wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to mild success.

Mercedes wants to win, but there are four other formidable teams they have to beat out as well. Why risk giving Renault or Ferrari(longshot, I know, but for argument's sake..) a chance at suppling McLaren when they could use the revenue to fund their own R&D to make their team stronger. Killing a business relationship out of pride is a stupid business decision, which is why I don't believe it went down that way.

 

Mclaren need that 'works team' level of data, and MB just isn't sharing it any longer. That data and transparency is important. Honda however will though. I'd be afraid of say 2016 or 2017 Mclaren, they will be scary. 2015 though, no, they need time to settle in and make best use of the new engines.

 

Because Honda has returned. I'm tingling just from thinking about the McL+Honda together in F1 again.

 

Honda is only returning because Merc is no longer treating Mclaren like a works team. Had a solid contract with Mclaren or other major team not been on the table, no way Honda was coming back. Just my opinion. It was too awesome an opportunity for them to remake some old magic.

 

Honda were already in talks w McLaren last year. McLaren obviously had already been planning this for awhile now & had Honda not agreed to the collaboration they probably would've continued with Merc. Honda wouldn't have just come back outta nowhere, and I'm sure they already have V6 turbos ready to test.

 

The breakup between Mercedes and McLaren has been in process since 2009 when plans were announced for Mercedes to sell back the 40% stake they owned in the company and acquire the Brawn GP team. While they suggested all was well with the relationships, a lot of internal strife between the companies had led to those decisions. Just prior to all of that occurring it had been reported that Daimler was set to increase their stake to 60%, and then there was a sudden about-face.

It was only a matter of time before McLaren secured a new engine partner. The only thing that surprises me is that they will run the Mercedes engines for one season into the new Turbo era - it seems like it would have been in everyone's best interest to make a clean break and transition everything along with the change in rules for 2014.

>8^)
ER

 

Likely a circumstance that had to do with the amount of time Honda needed to get back in the game. Plus it will give Mercedes two more vehicles to point out any potential flaws or issues. Although the data sharing may not be transparent, they'll be able to spot obvious issues and work on them (like the Renault alternator problem).

 

I'm sure Honda has been waiting in the wings for the past couple years. But in a prior article Mclaren made it well known that for the past 3 years now they have not been treated like they used to be treated by MB. They need that data that only a works team would get, and Honda will give it to them.

 

Mmmm.... As the old saying goes: "Past performance is no guarantee of future results!"

 

Works for Mac too. They will get some experience with a Merc lump. Helpful? Maybe, maybe not.

 

It's Mac and Honda again. Can they revive the old magic?

The problem with the Japanese companies is that they don't stick to it once they jump in. It's like they get bored or give up or win which proves their point and go home.

 

"This is why we watch"....

Ouch!.....

Japanese companies, or all the 'big guys' that have come & gone over the years?

Cheers,
Ian

 

Look who has been involved in F1 over the years

Suzuki
Yamaha
Mugen
Honda (several times)
Toyota
Nissan (through Renault now renamed Lotus)

 

BMW
Ford (Cosworth)
Ford (Jaguar)
Lamborghini
Alfa Romeo
Lancia

 

Yah but, didn't it seem to you that Honda left because it felt it had nothing more to prove and Toyota left because it just got tired/bored of it all?

 

There's never just one reason.

The fact that Toyota spent a bundle without success was hard to justify.

 

Porsche!.....

Could also throw in a shedload of Euro 'supercar' wannabes....... Most of them go home, regardless of geography, with their tails between their legs IMO.

"Nobody said it was easy."

Ceres,
Ian

 

How'd I miss that one.


There are more teams that left F1 than stayed. I don't see a corelationship between national origin and longevity.

 

Exactly.

Numerically, the UK would *dominate* the list of course.

'Percentage' wise?..... I dunno.

Cheers,
Ian
PS, anyone watching hockey?....Good stuff! No spoilers!.....