Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Founded | 11 October 1983 |
| Founder | Mario Illien Paul Morgan |
| Headquarters |
Brixworth, Northamptonshire
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United Kingdom
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Parent | Mercedes-Benz AG |
Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (often called Mercedes HPP) is a company that builds powerful engines for Formula One racing cars. It is owned by Mercedes-Benz.
This company has supplied engines to many famous Formula One teams. These include McLaren, Williams, and the official Mercedes factory team. Their engines have helped teams win ten Formula One Constructors' Championships and drivers win eleven Drivers' Championships. Mercedes HPP also makes special engines for the amazing Mercedes-AMG ONE sports car, which can be driven on regular roads.
Contents
About Mercedes HPP: How it Started
The company was first started in 1983 by two engineers, Mario Illien and Paul Morgan. They named it Ilmor by combining parts of their last names. At first, they built engines for IndyCars, another type of racing, with help from team owner Roger Penske.
Later, in 1993, Daimler-Benz (which is now called Daimler) bought a part of Ilmor. By 2002, Daimler owned more than half of the company and changed its name to Mercedes-Ilmor. In 2005, Daimler took full ownership. They changed the name a few times, and in 2011, it became Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. This new name included the Mercedes-AMG brand, known for high-performance cars.
Around the same time, a small part of the company that worked on special projects became a separate business. This new company, still called Ilmor Engineering Ltd, is now owned by Mario Illien and Roger Penske. It works independently from Mercedes.
Mercedes Engines in Formula One History
Ilmor first joined Formula One in 1991, providing engines to the Leyton House team. In 1992, they also supplied engines to Tyrrell Racing. Even though they were new, their engines helped these teams score points in races.
In 1993, the Sauber sports car team and Mercedes-Benz planned to enter Formula One together. They chose Ilmor to build their racing engines. At first, Mercedes didn't officially join, so the engines were just called "Saubers." But after a strong performance, Mercedes decided to officially enter in 1994.
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From 1995, Ilmor became Mercedes' main engine partner for the McLaren team. This partnership was very successful! They won their first race in 1997. Mika Häkkinen won the Drivers' Championship in 1998 and 1999. The team also won the Constructors' Championship in 1998. Later, in 2008, Lewis Hamilton won the Drivers' Championship with a Mercedes-powered McLaren.
Sadly, in 2001, Paul Morgan, one of the founders, passed away in a plane accident. After this, Mercedes-Benz increased its ownership in Ilmor, and the company was renamed Mercedes-Ilmor Ltd.
Modern Hybrid Engines and Success
In 2014, new rules came to Formula One, requiring hybrid engines. Mercedes created a powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine. This engine uses both a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and a heat energy recovery system. These systems capture energy that would normally be lost and use it to boost the car's power.
Since 2014, Mercedes engines have been incredibly successful. They have helped cars get the fastest starting position (pole position) in over half of all races. They have also won many races during this time.
Helping During the Pandemic
In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the racing season, Mercedes HPP used its engineering skills to help. They worked with UCL to create breathing aids for patients. These devices help keep people out of intensive care. Mercedes HPP designed a working device in just one week! They even used the same machines that usually make parts for Formula One engines to produce hundreds of these breathing aids every day. That year, Mercedes went on to win both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships in Formula One.
Mercedes Engine Customers' Grand Prix Results
Mercedes engines have powered many different teams to success in Formula One:
| Constructor | Season(s) | Total wins | WCC | WDC | First win | Last win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sauber |
1994 | 0 | – | – | ||
 McLaren |
1995–2014, 2021–2024 | 78 | 1 (1998) | 3 (1998–1999, 2008) | 1997 Australian Grand Prix | 2024 Miami Grand Prix |
| Brawn |
2009 | 8 | 1 (2009) | 1 (2009) | 2009 Australian Grand Prix | 2009 Italian Grand Prix |
 Force India |
2009–2018 | 0 | – | – | ||
 Mercedes |
2010–2024 | 106 | 8 (2014–2021) | 7 (2014–2020) | 2012 Chinese Grand Prix | 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix |
| Williams |
2014–2024 | 0 | – | – | ||
| Lotus |
2015 | 0 | – | – | ||
| MRT |
2016 | 0 | – | – | ||
| Racing Point Force India |
2018 | 0 | – | – | ||
| Racing Point |
2019–2020 | 1 | 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix | 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix | ||
| Aston Martin |
2021–2024 | – | – | |||
| Total | 1994–2024 | 193 | 10 | 11 | 1997 Australian Grand Prix | 2024 Miami Grand Prix |
Images for kids
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Mercedes-Benz FO 110J.jpg
The Mercedes-Benz FO 110J engine from 2000.
See also
In Spanish: Mercedes-Benz en Fórmula 1 para niños
- Mercedes-Benz in motorsport
