What is known so far is that the company will enter the electric single-seater series with the license of Mercedes-EQ, which is leaving the circuit, but the development of the powertrain they will use and the drivers who will lead the team are still unclear.

As already happens in other competitions such as Formula 1 and Extreme E, it is estimated that McLaren will not develop its own structure in the car, so it is already in negotiations with other manufacturers that can supply it with this technology.

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Paradoxically, in 2014, McLaren Applied Technologies manufactured the electric motor, transmission and electronic system that was installed in all Spark-Renault SRT 01E chassis that competed in Formula E, but now the British firm Greybull Capital is the one that has control over that entire division.

Strategy.

“We are taking a big step. We have to get the category and integrate Ian James (director) and the team. At the end of the day, we have a great partnership with Chevrolet in IndyCar and another great partnership with Mercedes in Formula 1. So having a powertrain other than McLaren is no problem. That’s how we approach motorsport,” stated McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

He pointed out that not applying their own structure will not be a problem, since, for example, in Formula 1 they have never used their own engine in the long history they have in motorsport’s top category.

“We will let Ian James shape the future plans, but this issue seems clear. Ian James himself knows, so we will announce our technical partner, as well as the drivers and our partners and sponsors in due course,” added Brown.

Among the manufacturers being considered to supply technology to McLaren, Nissan has been strongly tipped as an option to formalize a deal to provide power units.

Regarding the drivers, the names of Mercedes representatives Stoffel Vandoorne and Nick de Vries were being considered. However, the former already has a previous agreement with DS Techeetah, while the reigning champion will continue his course outside the street circuits.

The post McLaren will not Manufacture its Own Formula E Powertrain appeared first on Green Racing News.

Zak Brown, Chairman of the team, admitted that uncertainty remains as to whether or not joining the FIA World Championship, as planned in 2022, especially after Audi, BMW and Mercedes announced they would be leaving the series.

McLaren signed an option to join Formula E for its ninth season in 2022-23, but Brown, commander of the team involved in Formula 1 and the NTT IndyCar Series, plus a future commitment to Extreme E, points out that there are many doubts about their participation, especially now that some prestigious manufacturers have left.

Careful Investigation

Brown says a decision has not yet been made, and they are evaluating whether joining the electric category is financially viable for McLaren. “In Formula E, we’re looking to see how it continues developing,” he told GP Fans. “Obviously, with Audi and BMW leaving, it’s a bit of a concern.”

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“We’re not quite sure if it’s commercially viable, we’re still looking at that. Is it an operational distraction? Formula E teams are getting quite big now. They’re talking about putting a cost limit on it. That’s not done yet, but a Formula E team has 60 to 70 people and currently doesn’t have a cost cap. So, we don’t know yet if it will be economically feasible. I don’t think it will be,” he explained.

Brown pointed out that other competitions in their sights give them more doubts about revenue. “With everything we have with IndyCar, with Extreme E, we don’t know if it’s the right time. We like what Formula E represents, we like the racing. We’ve been participating as a supplier, so those are the things in our consideration set,” he stressed.

He stated that they expect to communicate their final decision later this year, and hope that the horizon will become clearer in December.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Doubts persist over McLaren’s entrance in Formula E appeared first on Green Racing News.