McLaren has successfully fired-up its 2021 Formula 1 car, equipped with the Mercedes power unit, at its factory in Woking.
The British manufacturer returns to Mercedes power for the first time since 2014 this year, following brief stints with both Honda and Renault.
The McLaren-Mercedes partnership is embedded in F1 history, with the two sharing a long-standing relationship from 1995 to 2014, which saw McLaren obtain one Constructors’ Championship, as well as three Drivers’ titles.
McLaren is the only team to switch power unit manufacturers this year, with the deal originally agreed with expectations that it would fall in line with new technical regulations.
However the car design overhaul was pushed back to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but McLaren insisted with pushing ahead with the transition to Mercedes power for 2021.
Despite the stable regulations, McLaren has indicated that the return to Mercedes has meant the team is building a ‘new car’ for the upcoming season.
McLaren ended the 2020 campaign third in the standings, its best result since 2012 – the last year it took a grand prix victory.
For the 2021 season, it has retained Lando Norris and hired the services of Daniel Ricciardo, who replaces the Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz.
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