F1 Championship-Winning Engine Manufacturer Rumored to Soon Turn McLaren’s Fortunes

Formula 1 has witnessed a massive increase in following in the last few years. This surge in engagement has opened new markets and avenues for the sport. It has further drawn the interest of big car manufacturers to join the grid. McLaren might soon become the latest beneficiary of this growth.

Another change in rules and regulations is yet to come for F1 in 2026. This rule change will eliminate the MGU-H component of the power unit. The said element converts wasted heat into electrical energy and are very expensive to produce. The elimination of it gives the manufacturers an incentive to join the pinnacle of motorsport.

Earlier this year, the Volkswagen group confirmed its intention to be part of the F1 grid. The German brand will join the sport with its umbrella companies, Audi and Porsche. There is allegedly another significant addition to this list in the form of BMW.

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As per the reports, the team is on-track to make a comeback with a collaboration with Mclaren. The performance of the Papaya team has dropped in recent times. They showed signs of promise in 2020 by finishing P3 in the constructors. Nonetheless, an underwhelming 2021 season saw them lose out to the Ferrari in a year-long battle for the top three spot.

Currently, Mclaren is struggling in 2022. The team has developed has an underperforming package which hinders them from fighting at the front. The team stands P4 in the 2022 constructors’ championship. Notably, tied on points with the Alpine.

BMW’s Mixed History in F1

F1 is not foreign territory for BMW. In fact, the German manufacturer has taken part in the sport since the inauguration of the Driver’s championship in 1950. Further, it was part of the success of Nelson Piquet in 1983 as the engine supplier for the championship-winning Brabham car.

Later, the journey continued with an exclusive deal with Williams in the late 1990s. The partnership was not a success and saw the firm part ways from the sport. The last appearance of the German brand was the BMW-Sauber project which lasted from 2006 to 2009. However, a lack of strong results and the global recession made the organization leave Formula 1.

If BMW is successful in paving its path back to F1, it can be of great help to a struggling Mclaren team. Moreover, we could be in for 4 German constructors on the grid, which are Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, and BMW. This would set up a great battle in F1 to be the best German brand.

McLaren F1 Engines over the years

McLaren is a British automotive manufacturer itself and produces one of the fastest road cars in the world. Yet, it does not associate itself with producing a Formula 1 engine. For many years it has been the customer of leading F1 engine suppliers.

The orange team of the paddock is the second oldest active constructor on the grid. Thus, it has a rich heritage in the sport. The constructor was born in the year 1963 but did not take part in a race until 1966. Serenissima and Ford supplied the engine for the first race.

After the first season, the team switched to BRM for the second year. Then started a long-time deal with Ford from 1969 to 1983. During this time, they won 2 drivers and a single constructor’s championship. From 1984 to 1987, it was a partnership with Porsche which helped the team compete.

Mclaren won 3 constructor championships with Porsche before signing with Honda from 1988 to 1992. The team dominated again by grabbing another 3 titles and went back to its roots in 1993 with Ford. Peugeot signed a single-year deal for the 1994 season.

Thereafter came the Mercedes-Mclaren project from 1995 to 2014. The team won 3 driver’s championships and 1 constructor championship in this era. To reach back to the top of the grid, the team joined forces with Honda from 2015 to 2017. Followed by a 2- year deal with Renault in 2018.

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Today, the team runs a Mercedes engine in its MCL36. The Woking outfit signed a deal until the end of 2024 with the German brand. After the deal expires, it would be a great spectacle to see which option the British racing stable chooses.