McLaren has become Mercedes’ first customer to sign with the engine manufacturer under F1’s new power unit rules
The F1 team returned to Mercedes power in 2021 following a seven-year hiatus after the two had previously joined forces from 1995 to 2014.
McLaren has now agreed a new five-year supply deal with the German giants from 2026, when F1 introduces a new PU system, through to 2030.
“It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
“This has many advantages: it gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz.
“McLaren has been a fierce and fair competitor since 2021, especially in the second half of this season.
“McLaren’s strong performances underline the importance of transparent and equal supply to all customer teams in the sport if we wish to achieve the goal of 10 teams capable of fighting for podium finishes.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown added: “Mercedes-Benz has been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team.
“The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead.
“We have been successful together, both in the last three seasons and when they previously powered the team, so we look forward to the success to come as we continue our journey to fight consistently at the front of the grid.”
The new power units will incorporate 50 percent internal combustion and 50 percent electrical power that combined will deliver a maximum output of over 1000 horsepower.
They will also run on 100 percent sustainable fuel, whilst the electrical systems will feature a single 350kW electric motor, three times more powerful than the current MGU-K.
Expressing his delight with the continued partnership, Mercedes-Benz Group AG board member and chief technology officer Markus Schaefer said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with McLaren Racing to at least the end of this decade.
“The long-term nature of this agreement reflects our shared trust and commitment to our future power unit strategy.
“Together, we look forward to building momentum towards 2026 and the beginning of another new era of an electrified innovative power unit design in Formula One.”
Discussion about this post