P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes-Benz bought into the McLaren Group on this day in 2000, and a decade later sold the shares back. But the lasting impact of that partnership is still being felt.
After a remarkable turnaround, McLaren clinched the constructors’ championship in Abu Dhabi with Lando Norris crossing the line, marking their return to a world-championship-winning operation after 26 years. The seeds of their resurgence were planted in 2000 when Mercedes-Benz acquired 40% of the McLaren Group, aligning McLaren as the Mercedes works operation. However, the team faced challenges as the 2000s progressed, with the fallout from events in 2007 leaving deep scars. Mercedes ultimately opted to go solo with their own works team, citing reasons such as the spy-gate scandal and McLaren’s desire to enter the supercar market. The global financial crisis in 2008 also played a role in Mercedes’ decision to separate from McLaren, as the F1 manufacturers’ boom turned into a bust.
