McLaren-Renault: 'A fruitful relationship' but 'different ambitions'

Marriage for reasons McLaren after his costly divorce from Honda at the end of 2017, his association Renault first highlighted the flaws of an orange chassis that the Woking team sold as one of the best in previous seasons. 

Penultimate in the Manufacturers' ranking in 2017, McLaren progressed to 6th place at the end of the following campaign. A flattering position to say the least given the intrinsic level of the MCL33. It was necessary that Fernando Alonso perform small miracles in the first Grands Prix to collect valuable points. 

This season, however, McLaren's progress is more than visible and the team is currently ahead of the factory team of its engine manufacturer Renault by occupying 4th place in the Manufacturers' championship. The two partners discussed the possibility of continuing their association beyond their current contract which ends in 2020. But divergent points of view sealed the end of this union.

« Since the start of our collaboration, McLaren has gone from 9th place to 4th place in the Manufacturers' Championship, has recalled Cyril Abiteboul, general director of Renault Sport Racing. We can therefore speak of a fruitful relationship. Looking beyond the current contract, into 2021, it appeared that Renault and McLaren had different ambitions for their relationship.

All the elements constituting this decision have been considered and weighed for several weeks to the extent that 2021 will be a key season for all the teams and it is important to have today a more precise vision of the strengths and ambitions present.

This decision is consistent with Renault's choice to be a complete team with the ambition to return to the forefront. Renault will continue to honor its commitments to McLaren Racing next season, as has always been the case throughout its long history as an engine manufacturer. ». 

By potentially finding ourselves with only one team to power, we still wonder if Renault will not find itself a little isolated politically and sportingly in 2021.