McLaren play down Pure engine reports
31 January, 2012
Jan.31 (Reuters) McLaren have played down contacts with Formula 1′s planned new engine maker Pure on Monday amid lingering speculation about the Mercedes-powered team’s future supplier.
“McLaren has had absolutely no contact with Pure for many months,” a McLaren spokesman said.
“Moreover, the contact we did have with Pure, many months ago, was of an entirely informal nature, and was merely a courtesy gesture.”
Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported that Pure, led by Jacques Villeneuve’s former manager and team boss Craig Pollock, had been sounded out as possible replacements for Mercedes after a new V6 1.6 litre turbo engine is introduced from the start of 2014.
McLaren’s former shareholders Mercedes have sold their stake in the team since buying 2009 champions Brawn GP and renaming them Mercedes GP.
The Mercedes deal allowed McLaren free engines until the end of 2012 and then a supply until at least 2015 at the going rate of around 8 million euros ($10.51 million) a year.
McLaren have also been linked to Honda, who powered them to titles with the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna and Frenchman Alain Prost between 1988 and 1992, but the team said in November those reports were wide of the mark.
McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale said at the time that the team, who have champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton as their drivers, were entirely focused on the relationship with Mercedes
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Mclaren Honda is the most likely outcome as long as the new engine regs come to fruition. Normally aspirated V8s don’t interest Honda but fuel efficient Hybrids do and Honda is also accutely aware of Jenson’s enormous popularity in Japan from their previous relationship and also from his charity work and Japanese supermodel girlfriend. Plus with the less recent history with the Mclaren Team the synergies are obvious!! I just hope they paint the cars white and red when it happens!
Probably the engine that would suit the Mclaren style car & strategy would B Cosworth.
Mclaren strengths are for power and straight line speed
Redbull have taken the aero approach, but don`t have an engine that suits their strengths.
To finish first, first you must finish. Pull out from the pack and stay there !! Thats what Mclaren first did with the Mercedes engine – straight line speed and pull away
Honda Maclaren would be great to see in F1 again. Honda is much better as an engine supplier than a works team. With the new turbo regs coming, it would be a perfect time for them to return. Doubtful about it though…