Mercedes will continue to supply power units to McLaren until the end of the 2030 season in an extension of their current partnership.
McLaren have used with Mercedes power since the 2021 season after previously racing with Renault power units and Honda before them.A new extension, announced ahead of first practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, sees Mercedes continue to supply power units to McLaren into the introduction of the new formula in 2026, when revised 1.6L V6 power units will come into the sport.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown described Mercedes as a “brilliant and reliable” partner for the 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,” said Brown.
“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.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said supplying a rival team like McLaren has “many advantages” to Mercedes.
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“McLaren have been fierce and fair competitors since 2021, especially in the second half of this season,” Wolff said.
“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.
“It gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz.”
Mercedes previously powered McLaren between 1995 and 2014, before the team made its unsuccessful switch to Honda power. During that near two-decade stint with Mercedes, McLaren won three drivers’ championships with Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton, as well as the 1998 constructors’ championship.
Since reforming their partnership in 2021, McLaren returned to the top step of the podium by winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix. The team have taken a combined 15 podium finishes over the near three full seasons since returning to Mercedes power.
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Jere (@jerejj)
24th November 2023, 10:39
Committing to the entire next PU concept cycle is unsurprising since all works options are already filled.
MichaelN
24th November 2023, 15:51
Plus F1’s engines from 2026 onwards are shaping up to be all but irrelevant as they’ll essentially all be the same.
It’s unfortunate, but in these circumstances it doesn’t make much sense for McLaren to change something that ‘just works’.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
24th November 2023, 20:37
Outstanding height and shirt coordination. You can tell they’ve been working together for years.