General
New engine supplier is not so easy: "Become an open-heart operation"
- GPblog.com
Where Red Bull Racing has known since last week that they will need a new engine supplier from 2022, McLaren is also going to change next year. McLaren will be switching from Renault to Mercedes, a process that needs to be done very carefully.
McLaren has found their way up in recent years and they may take another step in the right direction next year. The English team will then drive with the engines of world champion Mercedes. Team boss at McLaren Andreas Seidl is aware that this is not going to be easy, especially now that they have to fit the power unit into this year's car. Due to the coronapandemic, the introduction of the new regulations has been postponed to 2022, which will allow each team to drive next year's car that is very similar to this year's car.
Openhart operation
At McLaren they already have some experience changing engine partners. Before Red Bull teamed up with Honda, McLaren drove Honda engines, then switched to Renault. "The integration of the Mercedes power unit is an open-hearted operation, but I'm confident it will work," Seidl tells Motorsport-Total and others.
Even though it requires a lot from the team, Seidl is happy with the switch: "We are very happy to do this and we are convinced that we will make a good step forward", concludes the team boss.