McLaren is pressing on with its switch to Mercedes power units for the 2021 season, in spite of the retention of the current regulations for an additional campaign.
McLaren confirmed last September that it will return to Mercedes power on a long-term basis from 2021, rekindling a relationship that previously ran from 1996 through 2014.
It used Honda power from 2015 through 2017 and is currently in the final season of its three-year Renault partnership.
The renewal of the McLaren-Mercedes partnership was set to coincide with the introduction of Formula 1’s overhauled sporting and technical regulations.
But the COVID-19 coronavirus has led to widespread uncertainty and on Thursday it was unanimously agreed among Formula 1 chiefs that the new regulations will be delayed until 2022.
In addition the 2020 chassis will be retained for the 2021 season as part of cost-saving measures.
McLaren has clarified that it will still make the switch to Mercedes power in 2021 as planned and “will accommodate [the power unit] in the current base chassis.”
The 2020 Formula 1 season will not begin until at least June after the trio of planned events for May were last week postponed or cancelled.
McLaren’s impending switch to Mercedes means Renault will be left without a customer team in 2021.
Current Mercedes customers Racing Point and Williams will continue to be powered by the manufacturer next year.
