Thread: $$$McLaren may buy BMW F1 engine division$$$

What???

The hottest rumour at the Suzuka circuit on Saturday is that McLaren is contemplating splitting completely with Mercedes at the end of the season.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the Woking based team's plan, masterminded by chairman and former team boss Ron Dennis, is to buy BMW's formula one engine division from the withdrawing German carmaker in order to go it alone as an independent chassis and engine constructor.

The move would clear the path for Mercedes to completely concentrate on its intensifying partnership with Brawn, with Dennis thought not keen on the prospect of taking a back seat to Mercedes' new favourite.

McLaren has an engine supply contract with equity partner Mercedes for two more seasons, but Dennis is believed to be confident that - as with his new MP4-12C road car project - the outfit can manage without the Stuttgart based manufacturer.

Auto Motor und Sport said BMW would be interested in selling its F1 engine programme for the right price, and that Dennis may already have made enquiries with the marque's Munich headquarters.

It is also rumoured that McLaren's existing Bahraini investors might bolster their involvement in order to support the new independent engine programme.

Said team boss Martin Whitmarsh: "We have no plans to buy BMW's engines."

And that's why they call this silly season folks....

holy shit, so it will be McLaren BMW

then the now McLaren Mercedes cars would be powered by Mercedes, but would have no CHASSIS builder?

oh wow...

^^^ Its like this:

If McLaren buys the BMW engine division, it will become a McLaren engine. Mercedes McLaren will become McLaren F1. Just as Ferrari is Ferrari. Same manufacturer for engine and chassis. Remember, BMW is out, they will not build or supply engines, they are selling of assests.

Mercedes is willing to supply up to 3 teams with engines. They currently supply, McLaren, Force India and Brawn. Those eagerly seaking a Mercedes engine deal for 2010 are Redbull and Williams. Williams will more than likely go with the Cosworth package, but Redbull (unhappy with Renault) wants the Mercedes. If Mercedes no longer supplies McLaren?...The Redbull/Vettel get their engine.

^ok i got it now, McLaren will be building their own engines, and mercedes will no longer provide their engines

RedBull will go to Mercedes Power...interesting, they should go Ferrari IMHO, esp if Vettel might be heading their way in 2011

Williams will no longer run Toyota power...any word on the Cosworth package?

and also to add, since Lotus has current good relationship with toyota, would it be safe to say that they would be running toyota power in their F1 car?

next season is getting more complicated by the minute