For a long time now, rumors have been circulating in the F1 paddock that McLaren would switch engine suppliers and switch to Mercedes, and Williams would get the engines from Renault.
Rumors are an everyday thing in F1. Some have a very short duration, while others are already more stubborn. Even after repeated denials, they keep coming back to debates. And one of those rumors is this: McLaren is supposed to switch to Mercedes, and Williams ’race cars would be powered by a Renault engine. All participants in this rumor responded quickly: “By the end of 2020, nothing will happen. Until then, the contracts are valid. ”
From a historical point of view, these connections would definitely have their own charm. Williams won his last championship titles with Renault engines and McLaren with Mercedes. It has been quite some time since then. Williams has been waiting for a new title for 22 years, and McLaren half as much. From a technical point of view, however, there are not many arguments for this replacement. Renault's engine is currently practically at the level of Mercedes, they only squeak in reliability.
Claire Williams vigorously denied these speculations. "We never talked to Renault." Quite the opposite. Williams, meanwhile, is discussing how cooperation with Mercedes could be further expanded. The team from the town of Grove would like to remain independent, but in the light of the new rules, it would make more sense, if they received other components from Mercedes in addition to the engine.
McLaren also points out that he does not have any interviews with Mercedes. “We are happy with Renault,” reads the team’s brief stance. On the other hand, McLarn also claims that Mercedes would be the only stop if they lost Renault. The background was explained between the lines by Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul: “Our contract with McLarna is valid until 2020. He is a good partner, even though he is better than us at the time. For us, the first question is what F1 will do after 2020. Then we will see how to proceed. ”
That sounds like a threat to some extent. Apparently, Renault wants to strengthen its own interests with the FIA and Liberty Media, after all the compromises have so far failed only in favor of the top three teams. Renault is demanding more disarmament and a clear departure from satellite teams. The French have a strong trump card in hand. Because the F1 can't afford to lose the traditional team that supplies engines on top of others. There is no substitute for 20 teams. And why it should always take place only according to the wishes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bulla?
