McLaren able to alter chassis to fit Mercedes power unit in 2021

Formula 1’s decision to delay the regulations overhaul until 2022 will have no impact on McLaren’s switch to Mercedes power units from 2021, the team has confirmed.

McLaren announced its move from Renault to Mercedes power would remain on course for 2021 despite the postponement of the widespread changes to the F1 technical regulations for an additional year, triggered by the coronavirus pandemic which has called off the start of the 2020 season.

The Woking-based team had been preparing for a busy winter working on both the rules shake-up and its engine switch, but with the 2020-specifciation cars permitted to race next season, it threw up an unexpected headache of keeping the same concept while replacing its power unit due to the different sizes and specification between each power unit partner.

But McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has confirmed the engine swap will be permitted for 2021 and won’t cause a major issue trying to adjust to.

“This decision does not impact our change to Mercedes power units in 2021, and we will be allowed to make the necessary changes to our car to accommodate this,” Seidl said in a McLaren update.

“From the outset, we have been a leading supporter of the new sporting and technical regulations for 2021. They present the opportunity to deliver an exciting new era for Formula 1.

“Nevertheless, there is no escaping the severity of the pressures faced by the sport right now. In the same way that decision to introduce the new regulations was aimed at improving the long-term health of Formula 1, the decision to postpone them has been made in the same vein.”

Seidl says McLaren continues to back the F1 overhaul postponement until 2022, which will only see the team cost cap installed next season.

“We support the postponement and have played an active part in the conversation around doing so,” he said. “We recognise that it is crucial to protect the financial health of all the teams while ensuring a level playing field when we do go racing.”

McLaren returns to Mercedes power for the first time since 2014, when it ended a successful 20-year partnership which notched up three F1 drivers’ world titles (Mika Hakinen in 1998 and 1999 plus Lewis Hamilton in 2008) and one F1 constructors’ world title (1998).

The British team moved into a Honda collaboration in 2015 which ultimately failed before switching to become a customer Renault partner in 2018.