Still trying to rebalance the accounts due to the effects of the pandemic, McLaren this Sunday saw a German publication come up with two possible "saviors": BMW and Audi.
According to Automobilwoche, BMW would be interested in acquiring McLaren's road model division, and is already in talks with Bahrain fund Mumtalakat, which owns 42% of the British brand.
Audi, on the other hand, would be interested not only in the road division but also in the Formula 1 team, giving strength to the rumors that show the will of the Volkswagen Group brand to enter Formula 1.
the reactions
As might be expected, reactions to this news did not take long. Starting with BMW, in statements to Automotive News Europe a spokesman for the Bavarian brand denied the news advanced yesterday by Automobilwoche.
On the part of Audi, the answer was more enigmatic. The Ingolstadt brand merely stated that it “regularly considers different opportunities for cooperation”, not commenting on the specific case of McLaren.
However, Autocar advances even though Audi has already come to terms with it, having already acquired the McLaren Group. If confirmed, it could be the reason for the departure, at the end of last month, of Mike Flewitt, the now former executive director of McLaren, who was in the position for eight years.
However, McLaren has already denied the news advanced by Autocar, stating: “McLaren's technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other manufacturers, however, there has been no change in McLaren's ownership structure Group”.
Sources: Automotive News Europe, Autocar.
Updated 12:51 pm Nov 15 with McLaren statements.