McLaren Formula 1 team has tested its new engine provided by Mercedes for first time. The team tested the new MCL35M engine before heading to the new 2021 F1 season.
The England based team switched its power dependency from Renault to Mercedes this year. This put the team to work on changes required to accommodate the new power unit.
The changes required to install Mercedes power unit are extensive in nature. It required changes to chassis and put the team to work through-out the winter.
The team has needed to use up both of its two development tokens, which all outfits are allowed to use to make alterations from their 2020 challengers, in a bid to get the required work done.
Piers Thynee, McLaren production director, commented that most team is carrying last year chassis design. But his team had to work and produce a brand new car for 2021.
“Whereas every other team will carry over most of its car from last year into this year, our switch to the Mercedes power unit means that’s not the case for us,” he said.
“It’s driven a huge amount of change and, essentially, we’ve been building a new car. The number of new parts on the MCL35M is about the same as when we built the MCL35.
“The back of the chassis and gearbox bell housing around the engine have changed significantly to adapt to the new power unit.
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“Changing power unit greatly alters the architecture of the car and the way everything is packaged, so the entire cooling layout and all the pipework, be that for fluid or air, has changed, along with all electrical harnessing and control boxes.”
McLaren testing at Woking
The testing of new engine was carried out at its Woking factory in England. It was witnessed by Andreas Seidl and Zak Brown, team principal and CEO respectively.
Press release from McLaren does not reveal new design details of the car. Only MCL35M traditional colour was evident and few of its current sponsors logos.
McLaren has gained momentum to compete and the new engine will most likely pushed its ambition to be among top three. The team will start new season with new driver line-up.
Carlos Sainz Jr. departed to Ferrari while Lando Norris is still to remain on the team. He will be accompanied by Daniel Ricciardo from Renault.
