Mercedes eager to help McLaren "take the fight to the top teams"

After announcing an engine partnership deal with McLaren from 2021 onwards, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said his team are more than happy to help their new customers take the fight to Formula 1's top teams, including themselves.

McLaren have a history with Mercedes engines in the back of their cars, as they were powered by the Germans for the entire 21st century until the end of 2014, when the Woking-based team switched to Honda.

With the title-winning partnership now returning, Wolff is eager to see the papaya orange cars closer to the front of the grid again, even if that means they'll threaten Mercedes themselves.

“We are delighted to welcome McLaren back to the Mercedes-Benz racing family with this new power unit supply agreement," Wolff said.

"Although the two brands share a prestigious history, this new agreement is all about looking to the future and beginning a new era of power unit supply for the years ahead.

"McLaren have been putting in place the building blocks of their revival over recent seasons, including impressive performances this season with Renault power. We hope that this new long-term agreement marks another milestone for McLaren as they aim to take the fight to the sport’s top teams, including our Mercedes works team.