Only for 1 year, then Mclaren are expected to either make their own or get Honda back into the sport. Reckon that Mclaren are possibly heading for a real downward spiral similar to the one which Ferrari experienced, and Williams are experiencing.
Depends on Mercedes' attitude really. Mclaren were essentially their works team for 12 years but now they want to challenge them. Question is would they rather supply engines to a team likely to beat them or risk being humiliated if Mclaren are supplied instead by one of their rivals?
RBR should be able to get through 2014 easier than McLaren since they're pretty much the works Renault team anyway. Mercedes might want to give a German driver of Seb's WDC status a Mercedes engine even while at RBR in the near future as Renault are treading on thin ice at the moment. Now you can see why the likes of Seb and Lewis want to consider jumping ship for a few years now the engines will become the main priority.
McLaren were heavily involved with the development of the current power unit and have been privy to all the data available so are able to extract the maximum from it. McLaren will become a mere customer by 2014 and Mercedes will be keeping all of those tasty nuggets of information to themselves during the development of the new unit, possibly leaving McLaren disadvantaged compared to Mercedes. Although it's hard to say how big of an advantage that might be, it's something to be considered.
Thing is Red Bull won in 2010 and practically did in 2009 without being a works team didn't they? It's not exactly a massive drawback, just a minor one.
I thought McLaren will start paying for engines next year and also pull out all remaining backing of the team. As Mercedes brough up Lewis Hamilton via Mclaren maybe they will be taking him too
With the new engines not coming in until 2014, McLaren shouldn't see any disadvantage with being a customer next year... which might also be a factor if Hamilton is looking for a 1 year deal. Didn't consider Mercedes trying to broker Hamilton in to the supply deal though. You never know.
You would usually expect the works team to have the upper hand, but it doesn't always work out that way. I think RBR were working very closely with Renault at the time too.
I think it is more likely they will stay with Merc as engine supplier post the 2013 season, however you never know - Honda have been thought off and there is always cosworth or Renault. especially if RBR jump ship! On another note Rosberg claims he isn't going anywhere! http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8091954/Rosberg-I-m-definitely-staying
Honda may find the latest Engine and Kers regs more relevant to their road cars and consider a comeback, they've been biten by trying to do F1 as a works team so think they'ed rather partner with an established front runner and McLaren would fit that bill... Turbo powered Hondas in a McLaren, I'd like to see that again!
There were rumblings of that happening but not heard anything recently. Hamilton might kick himself if he buggers off to Merc and then Honda turn up to partner with McLaren again.
I think Lewis needs to bite the bullet and set himself up in a team that will be built around him over the next 3-5 years - regardless of engine, team or salary.
I'm leaning the same way.... I can understand how cutting that cord would be extremely difficult though.
Kevin Eason ‏@easonF1 For those asking, just would like Lewis to sto telling people he is a victim Sorry but when did he say this?!
Never, he just asked for the media to basically stop making stuff up about what he wants for his future while he was in India over the weekend so the journalists are now throwing their toys out of the pram
