The McLaren Formula 1 Team will continue to run Mercedes power until 2030 as the Woking-based team becomes Mercedes’ first customer for the new engine regulation cycle.
McLaren has been partnered with Mercedes since 2021 in a deal that ran to 2025, and, with Formula 1’s new power unit regulations set to come into force for 2026, the two marques have announced an extension to their collaboration that will see McLaren receive Mercedes AMG power through 2030.
“Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
“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.”
Since the return of Mercedes power to McLaren in 2021, the papaya squad claimed victory at the Italian Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo that year, which remains the sport’s most recent win for a customer team.
Meanwhile, McLaren has also added a total of 15 grands prix podiums to their accolades since Mercedes’ return as the outfit’s power provider.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella joined Brown in welcoming the news, adding: “We are pleased to confirm a long-term renewal of our power unit deal with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of regulations.
“We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them. They’ve supported our journey back to the front of the grid so far, and the security and stability this partnership brings is vital in ensuring we remain on this upward trajectory. I would like to thank them for their collaboration so far and we look forward to the years to come.”
Mercedes power had long been the gold star in Formula 1 hybrid power, claiming eight consecutive Constructors’ titles between 2014 and 2021.
The manufacturer has powered 114 wins in 204 races and places a great emphasis on establishing a strong working relationship alongside its customers.
“It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams,” explained 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 have been fierce and fair competitors 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.”
F1’s new power unit regulations, which come into force in 2026, target a 50-50 split in power output between the internal combustion engine and electric power with a combined maximum output of over 1000bhp.
The new power units will also run solely on sustainable fuels and see overall fuel consumption reduced. Engine development will also be subject to a cost cap, designed to limit maximum technical spends on the area.
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG power unit has been in development since mid-2022 at Mercedes High-Performance Powertrains division in Brixworth.
