How did the BrawnGP Formula 1 team get its Mercedes engines so quickly after the withdrawal of Honda?

Question

And how did Mercedes manage to build and supply the engines so quickly? I would have thought an engine supply deal was a slow and costly arrangement even aside from the manufacturing process. And what about chassis changes BrawnGP would have had to make to accommodate the presumably different engine mounting points between Honda and Merc engines? How did they make those changes so quickly?

Answer 1

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I am sure Mercedes has extra engines sitting in their factory in case McLaren or Force India blows up an engine and needs an extra one. Can you imagine Mecedes telling McLaren to stop all testing coz they need 3 weeks (or however long it takes) to build an engine?

One reason BrawnGP went with the Mercedes engine was that it fit their chassis better than the Ferrari engine. So while they had to make some changes, it was not major.

One final thing, Honda announced their withdrawal in December 2008. I am sure Ross Brawn immediately started calling Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and Renault for possibilities of using their engines instead of twiddling his thumbs. A sensible team manager will not wait for the buyout to finish before starting to look for a new engine.

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Asker's Comment:

Gave me some good insight

Answer 2

They have been working on the engine for a while and managed to broker a deal just in time for the season given the issues they had.

Regarding your other questions, you should employ Ross Brawn & I'm sure he'd tell you how he's adapted things so quickly. Hey, for his salary he'd probably also adapt a merc engine into your own Honda in a couple of weeks!

Answer 3

Don't forget that Mercedes also supplies engines to Force India... an extra shift in the foundry and CNC machining shop would have enough time to produce the extra engine parts.

Is it just me, or do people forget that Honda started work on the 2009 cars before everyone else?

Answer 4

I think engine negotiations between Brawn and Mercedes started way earlier than the Brawn GP team was announced. Ross Brawn knew all this time he had a very good car fully developed, but F1 cars these days are developed considering the engine, so this match was made before most people think.

Answer 5

Brawn has been working on this car for awhile
So I assume that Brawn already had the Mercedes engine order already in place
Just wait until Rosbif answers

Answer 6

Interesting point and I wonder what McLaren think?

Answer 7

good question! i dont know the answer though!