McLaren will be powered by Mercedes-Benz until 2015

In a press release, the Formula 1 team McLaren announced that it has extended its contract with Mercedes-Benz for engine supply. The partnership will be valid until at least 2015.

Although the German group Daimler AG, which owns Mercedes, is gradually letting go of the McLaren team by selling its shares in the English company, the engine partnership has been renewed. The team will therefore continue to be powered by the star for the next six seasons. However, the technical partnership, involving certain parts supplies, is expected to be stopped.

Mercedes had been showing for a few seasons a desire to separate from McLaren. The star company held 40% of the shares in the British company’s capital and put them up for sale on November 13th. Now, only the engine supplier partnership will be valid between the two entities. The information was confirmed by Brawn GP, the future Mercedes Grand Prix team, and by Mercedes-Benz.

McLaren completed the statement by specifying the method of acquiring the 40% stake put up for sale by Daimler AG. It is the McLaren group itself that will repurchase its team gradually. Control of the McLaren team by the McLaren Group should be complete in 2011.