Mercedes racing chief reportedly attributes McLaren split to MP4-12C

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren used to be synonymous, both on the racing circuit with their Formula One collaboration as well as in the stratosphere of supercar-dom with the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But that's all in the history books now as the two outfits have gone their separate ways in both arenas.

For its part, Mercedes chose to go in-house with the SLS AMG, the effective successor to the SLR McLaren, while McLaren has developed the new MP4-12C supercar in-house as well, right down to the engine. Meanwhile Mercedes bought the Brawn GP team and is selling its stake in McLaren back to the team.

So why the split? According to Norbert Haug (pictured at right with Daimler chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche), the schism on both fronts came down to McLaren's desire to produce the MP4-12C independently. With all the factors that lead to the breakup, pinpointing that one specifically seems a little far-fetched to us, but as Mercedes' motorsport chief, we'd presume Haug knows what he's talking about.

[Source: Autocar]