McLaren Returns to Mercedes Power with New MCL35M Formula 1 Car
McLaren and Mercedes. A wonderful combination! Will AMG power finally make the MCL35M a champion contender?
While the planned 2021 Formula 1 racing regulations have been put aside for another year, we still get to see some significant changes on the grid. Namely, McLaren racing and Mercedes AMG are once again partners. After years of using other power units – with sometimes disastrous results – McLaren will have Mercedes power, and a stellar driver lineup.
For the 2020 season, McLaren managed to snag a podium in the manufacturers championship. A first for them in 8 years, according to Top Gear. That was with Renault power. Arguably, Mercedes AMG has the superior engine, so we could see McLaren back on form as they were in the Hamilton era.
The MCL35M is carried over for the most part from the 2020 season. Last year’s car was the MCL35, so it’s obvious where the additional M designation arises. However, it’s not such an easy task to just take one kind of engine out, and put another in.
Speaking to Top Gear, McLaren F1’s Technical Director James Key says “One of the key elements of the MCL35M design is the integration of the Mercedes-AMG power unit, which has taken a considerable effort from the team in Woking, as well as our colleagues at Mercedes. Despite our limited scope for installation in a homologated car, the team has done a fantastic job of optimising our design work.
Drivers this year include Lando Norris, and Daniel Riccardo. Both of which are podium finishers, with “Danny Rick” having a number of wins to his name. In our opinion, the fact that he hasn’t won a title yet is astonishing. Ricciardo joins teammate Norris who had a good start to last season, securing a podium at the season opener. Norris’ youthful exuberance and Ricciardo’s experience will surely help the McLaren team in the constructors championship points race.
Mclaren’s switch now means eight cars will have Mercedes AMG power. Mercedes AMG’s factory team, leads the four team affront. Now McLaren joins Racing Point and Williams with Mercedes F1 power. Racing Point had a better season in 2020 compared to those before it, but they still have room to improve. Williams is (hopefully) on their way back from a multi-year slump.
Photos: Top Gear
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