Looks like McLaren and Gulf oils are back together...now all we need is TAG Heuer to move from Red Bull back home to McLaren! https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-shock-gulf-oil-brand/4842608/
From this thread: https://forums.calibre11.com/threads/gulf-racing-fans.110806/ - we have: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/road-legal-gulf-liveried-mclaren-p1-gtr-incredible.
I don't see that happening, unless they start getting some podiums. Do you know when the sponsorship contract is up for renewal?
If I understand correctly, JC Biver and McLaren's then Team Boss Ron Dennis didn't have the same vision or agreement so they split and the fact that McLaren is not very marketable back then due to podium less years. TH went to Red Bull who is a TOP3 team and who was previously sponsored by Casio / Edifice.
McLaren and Honda back together was like the hype of decades. Bringing back glory days of Senna and Prost. But didn't end up that well also.
McLaren are already being competitive this year with current Renault engine, so next year they should be regularly fighting for podiums with Mercedes engine and Ricciardo (which I think is better than Sainz)
A record number of engine changes for Mclaren in such a short time: Mercedes, to Honda, to Renault, and back to Mercedes. Not long ago it would take years of development to get back on top after a change of engine supplier. It was the most disruptive thing a team could do.
The thing is nowadays, it’s more “competitive” to just buy off parts from dominant teams than to spend millions of R&D to just keep at a pace in Formula 1. Haas has done it with Ferrari. Racing Point with Mercedes. And you didn’t even heard a thing from Ferrari or Mercedes complaining. Brawn has already stated that “copying” is the norm in F1. So Renault’s protest might be mute. Engines are really at a difficult level and can only be done by auto manufacturers due to huge costs. If you look at it, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda engines all had their dominant periods in F1.
Yes, I read somewhere that Mercedes are giving an engine to McLaren this year (maybe they already gave it), in order to have time enough to adapt it to their chassis, so McLaren believe that this engine change, being able to prepare it with so much time, will not be a problem
The best thing though is that from next year (IIRC) the manufacturers are 'supposed' to give the customer teams the info to run the engines to their full potential. Now, this is F1 so whether that actually ever comes about is another matter...
I'm glad to see this announcement, but that livery just won't do. McLaren needs a proper Gulf Racing scheme, like the Porsche GPX Racing team (inspired by the Targa Florio). Otherwise, I can't get too excited about this partnership.
I see where you are coming from but nooo, just no. Red Bull Racing Tag's are the most beautiful things a person can own in life, dont take it away please
TAG Heuer / Heuer has been inextricably part ot Motorsports. Iconic sports and race cars. Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Mercedes, Shelby-Ford, Aston Martin Red Bull, Nissan, Honda.. Any other manufacturers I’ve missed? I’m sure there are still others
Some other manufacturers with a tradition in motorsports: Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Audi, Jaguar, BMW, Lotus, Bugatti, Maserati...
Yes sir @Albert-AMG , I meant connected with Heuer/TAG Heuer I’m not sure if those mentioned were also tied to our favorite watch brand at some point but would be really amazed if they do
Ok, I had understood it differently. I thought you were talking about manufacturers in general with a tradition in motorsports Then at least Audi (there’s an Heuer Audi Sport from their rally days), and probably Lotus because of Jo Siffert
