McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says they might build their own Formula 1 engines – Formula 1 news
Team McLaren’s boss Martin Whitmarsh recently denied rumours that his team will not be building its own engines to race in Formula 1 in the future.
However, he admitted that it is unlikely to happen anytime soon but did not rule it out completely.
“We are ruling nothing out, because we are an ambitious team. Formula One is the third largest sporting event in the world and the best environment for brands to differentiate,” team boss Whitmarsh reportedly told media.
As a joint project with Ricardo Engineering, McLaren recently produced its own 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine for their new production sports car by the name of MP4-12C.
On the other hand, McLaren are currently using Mercedes’ V8 engines but since the new turbo rules are expected to take effect from the 2013 Formula season, the team is optimistic that they might develop their F1 car’s engines themselves then.
“But if I'm honest, we have no plans to build more than 4,500 (MP4-12C) units per year. Comparing the cost [of producing a F1 engine] with the 4,500, then that's probably not the right business model,” Whitmarsh said.
Whitmarsh is also the president of the Formula One Teams Association and he is optimistic that the new regulations for the 2013 Formula 1 season are going to be a test for the Formula 1 teams and they will bring even bigger car manufacturers to the sport.
“If it does not attract any new car manufacturers, one of the main goals of the new regulations will have been missed,” he said.
Nevertheless, the 2011 Formula 1 season is expected to be one of the most exhilarating and dramatic Formula 1 seasons in the history of the sport as a result of the reintroduction of adjustable rear wings, Kinetic Energy Recover System and the new Pirelli
tyres. The new tyres are going to degrade much quicker than the Bridgestones of 2010 and increase the number of pit stops each driver takes per race.
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