Mercedes, McLaren Split Due to MP4-12C

Over the last decade, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz have been closely intertwined. A little over 10 years ago, the company that was then DaimlerChrysler purchased a 40% stake in McLaren.

Mercedes officially announced the “end of a great era” with the final "crowning glory" model being the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss.

Long before this though, developmental plans had to be put in place. Mercedes begun to divest itself of McLaren had its new SLS supercar developed by its performance subsidiary AMG.

Then, McLaren announced its intention to compete head-to-head Ferrari and Lamborghini again by way of the MP4-12C. But what caused the divergent paths?

Before, it seemed as bit puzzling, but it is less so now. The head of Mercedes Formula One, Norbert Haug, said the split was due to McLaren's intention to build the MP4-12C.

"McLaren wanted to go in their own direction with their street sports car," he said. "At Mercedes we have been doing it for many years. It (McLaren's) was not our way and we found an amicable solution."

Regarding F1 he said, "We continue to supply them with engines but we have created our own team. We are grateful about our many joint successes. Only Ferrari was more successful than us." McLaren has a deal in place with Mercedes to receive engines for its F1 program until 2015.