[ 2020 ] Mclaren F1 Team - Renault

[Darth-Piekus]

By that logic Renault would also think the same and yet they were beaten last year. The rules force them to provide the latest spec to the customer teams.

[Macklaren]

Do you realy believe that Mercedes engine in basic team = Mercedes engine in client team? Especially if we are talking about new specs? I know that rules says they must be the same but... you know what I mean. Mercedes would not allow to be beaten by another team with their engine, it will be so shame...

It is pretty evident from the culture that Toto and Niki have built at Mercedes that this is not a concern. If McLaren beat them next year or after, there is no doubt that they will take it as a kick up the backside and work hard on their own chassis rather than resort to selling Mclaren detuned engines.

[Jackles-UK]

Do you realy believe that Mercedes engine in basic team = Mercedes engine in client team? Especially if we are talking about new specs? I know that rules says they must be the same but... you know what I mean. Mercedes would not allow to be beaten by another team with their engine, it will be so shame...

I’d say it’s more the 250% offset in spending that means satellite teams don’t beat the big boys than it is any sort of engine shenanigans. In 2010-12 McLaren did beat the Mercedes works team with their own engine so it can be done, although admittedly the Mercedes of today is very different to what it was then.

[Jolle]

I read a few “McLaren could be the Mercedes works team if Daimler pulls the plug”

Let’s get real here. Not going to happen. With the current format the engine is the expensive part. The team itself almost pays for itself compared to that, especially with the added marketing value. Plus, McLaren is competition in expensive cars. Even Williams would be a better fit, they didn’t buy Brawn GP for no reason...

McLaren is on the way up for sure, but still not or in the near future a works team. They blew that opportunity with Honda.

For Sainz it’s a big step up, although a clear Barrichello role, he’s in a works car again, something that rarely happens anymore, for drivers not associated with the teams junior program. For Ricciardo, it will be difficult to repeat that for his move after McLaren (if there will be one).

[Mclarensenna]

Do you realy believe that Mercedes engine in basic team = Mercedes engine in client team? Especially if we are talking about new specs? I know that rules says they must be the same but... you know what I mean. Mercedes would not allow to be beaten by another team with their engine, it will be so shame...

It is pretty evident from the culture that Toto and Niki have built at Mercedes that this is not a concern. If McLaren beat them next year or after, there is no doubt that they will take it as a kick up the backside and work hard on their own chassis rather than resort to selling Mclaren detuned engines.

yes i agree. The last few years 2015-2018 Mercedes had a huge engine advantage over Renault and Honda so refused to supply competitive teams like Redbull and Mclaren. But now with all engines almost converging there is no point really as in my opinion it is better to have a paying customer who's also advertising your brand with a Mercedes engine beat you then that same team beat you with a Honda engine for example.
I think that was the reason Wolff accepted Mclaren as a customer as he weighed up all the pros and cons and realised this. It will be very interesting to see the difference the Mercedes engine makes to that Mclaren next year.

[djos]

I read a few “McLaren could be the Mercedes works team if Daimler pulls the plug”

Let’s get real here. Not going to happen. With the current format the engine is the expensive part. The team itself almost pays for itself compared to that, especially with the added marketing value. Plus, McLaren is competition in expensive cars. Even Williams would be a better fit, they didn’t buy Brawn GP for no reason...

McLaren is on the way up for sure, but still not or in the near future a works team. They blew that opportunity with Honda.

This is not "unreal" at all, as of 2019 Mercedes reported they were spending an annual average $188.1 million per year on engine development and an annual average of $285.3 million on the team itself.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2019 ... 0cceed23d8

Maclaren have a long history of being the works Merc F1 team and if Mercedes did decide to reduce their F1 expenses, it would make sense to keep the engine supply-side going (as it would be at least partially self-funded through sales to B teams) and ditch the biggest expense which is the Merc F1 team. This way they can still reap the marketing benefits of competing and most likely winning in F1.

PS, I'm extremely excited that Daniel is joining Maclaren, he and Lando will make an awesome team and both do a great job on and off track for Maclaren. Maclaren has always been one of my favorite teams, I loved watching Senna and Prost driving Maclaren's and later DC. The 1st Alsonso period was interesting for mostly the wrong reasons (F'K Mosely!) I was never a big Hamilton fan but always respected his skills. The less said about the 2nd Honda period the better! Anyway, things are really looking great for 2021 and beyond.

[shotzski]

Just been thinking from sponsorship side. With Carlos leaving, for sure Estrella Galicia will follow. Now, do you guys think Coca Cola would make a step up in its sponsorship of Mclaren? Now that they will be the solo drinks sponsor for the team

[Ground Effect]

So, next year, McLaren cars will be 3 & 4, very neat and tidy. 2021 could be a bit of a tricky year, with the Mercedes switch in the current chassis. But that’s one less unknown going into the rules reset, they’ll have the opportunity to improve on the previous year.

[ScottR267]

Just been thinking from sponsorship side. With Carlos leaving, for sure Estrella Galicia will follow. Now, do you guys think Coca Cola would make a step up in its sponsorship of Mclaren? Now that they will be the solo drinks sponsor for the team

Estrella will inevitably go seeing as they are a sponsor of Carlos’ and have followed him from team to team. Coca Cola won’t be the only drinks sponsor left with Huski chocolate however all 3 businesses are in different drinks fields. I’d like to see Coca Cola step up their sponsorship however personally can’t see as surely they would have done so already by now given its their second full year (if you can count it that is). Hasn’t their sponsorship receded this year given that the brand is not on the drivers uniforms?

[alexx_88]

I read a few “McLaren could be the Mercedes works team if Daimler pulls the plug”

Let’s get real here. Not going to happen. With the current format the engine is the expensive part. The team itself almost pays for itself compared to that, especially with the added marketing value.

Not sure I agree with the complete picture you've painted. An extremely successful Mercedes team can pay for itself (or close to it), but Red Bull and Ferrari are spending similar amounts and not getting much back. It's reasonable to assume that at some point Mercedes will stop dominating and the others will start winning as well. At that point it's much more efficient to supply 1/3 of the grid with engines that won't change by much and that are also paid for by the customers, while still being able to use F1 as an advertising platform. Granted, not on the same level, but the costs would be negligible.

To that extent, I'll venture and say that Mercedes will probably pull out sooner than people think. Especially given what's happening to the economy as we speak and how hard it is to justify, from a PR standpoint, paying young blokes +20 million / year while having to fire or furlough staff from your car factories, factories that essentially pay for the F1 team to go racing.

[mclaren111]

I am now a McLaren fan.

Welcome to the Team... I've been a supporter since 1988... Senna's 1st year at the team...

[Mansell89]

Have to say that if Sainz was to leave, to get Daniel Ricciardo away from the Renault works team is just a perfect replacement.

Definitely a driver who deserves a car that can fight for podiums and by default, championships so let’s hope we make those strides with him in these next couple of years.

On a side note, did he work with James Key in any capacity in those early Toro Rosso days?

[mclaren111]

I am now a McLaren fan.

I think I'll become one as well the way Williams are going...

As has been said, Ric, Lando, Merc and Seidl are a very strong lineup.

And don't forget Key & Pedromou

[mwillems]

I read a few “McLaren could be the Mercedes works team if Daimler pulls the plug”

Let’s get real here. Not going to happen. With the current format the engine is the expensive part. The team itself almost pays for itself compared to that, especially with the added marketing value.

Not sure I agree with the complete picture you've painted. An extremely successful Mercedes team can pay for itself (or close to it), but Red Bull and Ferrari are spending similar amounts and not getting much back. It's reasonable to assume that at some point Mercedes will stop dominating and the others will start winning as well. At that point it's much more efficient to supply 1/3 of the grid with engines that won't change by much and that are also paid for by the customers, while still being able to use F1 as an advertising platform. Granted, not on the same level, but the costs would be negligible.

To that extent, I'll venture and say that Mercedes will probably pull out sooner than people think. Especially given what's happening to the economy as we speak and how hard it is to justify, from a PR standpoint, paying young blokes +20 million / year while having to fire or furlough staff from your car factories, factories that essentially pay for the F1 team to go racing.

Mercedes and Toto Wolf have spoken about the effect of the Mercedes team and it's success on sales of Mercedes cars. Since the F1 team started winning championships, the marketing value of the Mercedes team has been in the billions (plural). They may well go, but in my opinion not sooner rather than later.

I highly doubt Mclaren will become a Mercedes works team again, at least not for some time.

[cbbcisace]

Just been thinking from sponsorship side. With Carlos leaving, for sure Estrella Galicia will follow. Now, do you guys think Coca Cola would make a step up in its sponsorship of Mclaren? Now that they will be the solo drinks sponsor for the team

Estrella will inevitably go seeing as they are a sponsor of Carlos’ and have followed him from team to team. Coca Cola won’t be the only drinks sponsor left with Huski chocolate however all 3 businesses are in different drinks fields. I’d like to see Coca Cola step up their sponsorship however personally can’t see as surely they would have done so already by now given its their second full year (if you can count it that is). Hasn’t their sponsorship receded this year given that the brand is not on the drivers uniforms?

I think because it was announced so late before the Aussie GP it will be on the uniforms when’s we get back to racing