A long term rumour started by Eddie Jordan as far back as Silverstone this season seems to have come true.

Joe Saward alluded this afternoon to the switch back for McLaren to Mercedes power as a rumour, but now Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport have confirmed as true.

In light of this story breaking and not a lot of time this evening to write it up fully, below is a direct translation of the breaking news.

McLaren will change engine partners in 2021.

From Renault to Mercedes. Thus the British racing team returns to the engine manufacturer, with whom they provided the world champion three times between 1995 and 2014. Mercedes supplies four teams McLaren will change engine partners in 2021.

From Renault to Mercedes. Thus the British racing team returns to the engine manufacturer, with whom they provided the world champion three times between 1995 and 2014. McLaren is tinkering with its comeback.

The team, which had disappeared in the last four years, is on the upswing again with new structures, new management and new drivers. Last year’s World Championship sixth is on his way to 4th place in the Constructors’ Cup.

From 2021, the bosses Zak Brown and Andreas Seidl want to return to the circle of victory candidates. In the hope that the budget cap will help them. But McLaren also sets the course on his own. In 2021, the British racing team will return to the engine manufacturer with which they were on the road in 1995 and 2014 and with which they won three driver titles and a constructors’ world championship.

The contract with Renault expires at the end of 2020. At the beginning of 2021 the second era with Mercedes begins. It will initially remain in force until at least 2024. The change of engine partner is to be made official in the course of the GP Russia.

McLaren expects more stability and lower costs from the return to its former engine supplier. Apparently there is also a fear that Renault, as a direct competitor for 4th place, will soon put its own interests more in the foreground.

Just like Ferrari does with Alfa-Sauber and HaasF1. Mercedes has a tradition of serving its customers in the same way. Racing Point and Williams always get the last stage of development at the same time as the factory racing team. McLaren obviously expects the return to the German premium manufacturer to be another puzzle stone in the way back to success.

In addition, the offer from Brixworth should be significantly cheaper. Saved money that can then be invested in aerodynamics, i.e. lap time.