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Niki Lauda has said that he would veto any move that Mercedes make towards McLaren. Amid the struggling partnership that is hindering McLaren-Honda, it has been rumoured that Mercedes could bail McLaren out by supplying them with power units.
A couple of years ago, when Red Bull was struggling with Renault, Lauda was loud and clear in his thoughts that Mercedes should give power units to Red Bull. However, now that Ferrari is competitive with them, he would not see it as such a good idea.
"I would veto it," he said. "Two years ago, I pleaded for us to give Red Bull our engines. But I wouldn't do it today. We have to concentrate fully on our duel with Ferrari rather than upgrading another of our rivals," the F1 legend told Auto Motor und Sport.
A McLaren-Mercedes deal also seems to have been ruled out by the sporting regulations, which require engine changes for the following season to be registered with the FIA by 15 May.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is also against the idea, believing that the Honda should stay in Formula 1, and is confident that they will sort their problems out: "It's important for Formula 1that Honda remains," he said. "I have no doubt that they will solve their problems."
McLaren was powered by Mercedes from 1995 to 2014 before former CEO of the team, Ron Dennis, decided that the team should go down another route if they were to beat the dominant Mercedes team.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It makes sense for them, they dont need the precious extra data McLaren could provide them with, and by not providing PUs to McLaren they potentially avoid having extra competition and can focus on battling Ferrari, so they certainly benefit from not selling PUs to Mclaren. Im not sure how genuine Wolff is, but Mercedes benefit in terms of marketing by having them around, as defeating them is yet another feather in Mercedes' hat.
yellowfly81
Posts: 79
This has got to hurt for McLaren, even if they don't admit it. I'm certainly desperate for any lifeline to drag them out of the doldrums soon!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
The fact that Mercedes openly doesnt want to supply them must certainly sting.