Formula 1: McLaren Reunite With Mercedes For Engine Supply From 2021

The once broken relationship between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz is about to be revived as both teams have agreed to a four-year deal commencing from 2021 when the British racing team will be running on engines supplied by the championship defenders, Mercedes.  

McLaren enjoyed fair domination of the driver's championship and constructors title during their partnership of 20 years with Mercedes but has not been the same after switching to rejoin Honda in 2015. That deal ended last year when the signed a three-year deal with Renault. 

Announcing the new deal that will run for three years at least, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, described the move as an "important step" for the team, which in the long run could return the team to its glory days in the championship. 

"This agreement is an important step in our long-term plan to return to success in Formula 1. Mercedez is the benchmark, both as a team and a power unit," Brown said in a statement. 

In their previous relationship that started in 1995, in three years into the deal, McLaren won the driver's championship and constructor title back-to-back with Mika Hakkinen and won their third and last ever since in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne, Canada Grand Prix. 

Brown added, "It is natural we could seek to secure a relationship with the company for the next phase of our journey. This announcement reflects the confidence of our shareholders and is an important message to our investors, our team, partners and fans that we are committed to returning McLaren to the front of the field."

Mercedes are leading the championship race this season with Hamilton in front with 296 points but they have been facing huge challenge from Ferrari with rising star Charles Leclerc dominating three races in a row - he came second in Singapore GP in Ferrari's one-two race victory. 

Speaking on the McLaren-Mercedes partnership, the German racing brand boss Toto Wolff wants the rekindled bond to be "about looking to the future and beginning a new era of power unit supply for the years ahead."