REPORT: McLaren F1 considering acquisition of BMW F1 engine ops
McLaren's Formula One cars have been powered by Mercedes-Benz engines since 1995, but that could soon come to an end. The relationship between Daimler and McLaren has become increasingly strained over the past two years, following the Spygate scandal and the automaker's decision to have AMG build the SLS.
With BMW withdrawing from Formula One at the close of this season, the hot rumor in the paddock at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend is that McLaren chairman Ron Dennis is considering scooping up rival BMW F1's engine-building operations. Mercedes supplies engines to the this year's likely champions, the Brawn team, and a split with McLaren would allow MB to concentrate its efforts there.
McLaren's Middle Eastern investors reportedly support the move, which would allow the team to join Ferrari, Renault (if the French team remains in F1) and Toyota in building its own chassis and engine. Apparently, BMW's deal to sell the Sauber F1 team doesn't include the engine operation in Munich, leaving McLaren free to make its move.
[Source: F1-Live]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chan625 5:19PM (10/03/2009)
wow thats some news for the next season
but I dont think mercedes gave them any reason on performance and reliabilty front for last and this season.....in fact I think its one of the imp reason behind brawns and FI shining
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Affalterbach 5:34PM (10/03/2009)
isnt the Mercedes-Ilmor engine supposed to be pretty good?
In any case, McLaren really wants to break free from Mercedes/AMG.
Franz 7:42PM (10/03/2009)
McLaren & Mercedes are parting company on road cars, and they've already developed their own engine in house for the MP4-12C. With rumors swirling around about Mercedes acquiring a huge stake in Brawn GP, plus MB top brass & McLaren at odds over driver lineups (MB want German Nico Rosberg in the car, while it seems McLaren would rather have Kimi back) I think anything is possible at the moment, even though they are contracted to run Mercedes engines for the next two years. It's also been rumored in the last few weeks that BMW is willing to sell their engine division... for the right price. Speculation is running rife right now, but with all these rumors and developments going on it's easy to see why.
Meh... my immediate attention is on the Japanese GP @ Suzuka. Hated Fuji, & I'm glad Suzuka is back.
sunnycove 6:33PM (10/03/2009)
The major issue with the validity of this story is Daimler owns 40% of McLaren.
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RX-8 6:35PM (10/03/2009)
Everything I have read this year says that the Merc engine is the best in F1 right now.
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hashiryu 6:49PM (10/03/2009)
BMW won't sell, they build their M car engines "right there alongside" [/sarcasm]
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hashiryu 6:54PM (10/03/2009)
P.S. Nice to see somebody at Autoblog making an effort in regards to F1.........
Qualifying for the Japanese GP ended about 16 hours ago by the way ;)
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Javanese 8:50PM (10/03/2009)
The last McLaren with a BMW engine at the back turns out to be one of the greatest car ever built... will it be the same story with the F1 team?
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JSams4131 9:09PM (10/03/2009)
I sure hope that will be the case if it goes through...race in 3.5hrs whos stayin up tonight? :P
Motor Head 10:01PM (10/03/2009)
It's getting complicated.
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abba 1:50AM (10/04/2009)
Makes good sense. With manufacture teams jumping in and out on a whim, this is a long term business and stability decision. It also frees the team up to do what they want instead of having to hire somebody Norbert Haug wants them to.
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Flyboy 2:47AM (10/04/2009)
The McLaren F1 had the greatest engine (imho) ever conceived- The BMW M 6.1L V12. I think it would be cool to see a connection again. The fact that the MP4-12C is using a McLaren derived engine is a good indicator things aren't going so well with MB. Before announced, it was widely reported the car would get the 6.2 V8 made by AMG...
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Sam 10:26AM (10/05/2009)
Would be a good move, keeps an engine sluplier in F1. With bmw engines becoming mclaren id imagine they would have customer engines along with cosworth, Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes. Could open it up for more teams similar to Force India coming in.
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