Up Next
McLaren will remain a Mercedes engine customer in Formula 1 until 2030.
The McLaren-Mercedes union restarted in 2021 having previously ran from 1995 to 2014, and will continue into the next set of engine rules beginning in 2026.
McLaren’s return to Mercedes engines in 2021 aided the team’s recovery from the dismal end to the 2010s that was sparked by its ill-fated move to Honda.
They won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix together, with Daniel Ricciardo, and after McLaren’s form dipped in 2022 it has re-established itself as a regular podium threat through 2023.
It has even ended the season with a consistently quicker car than engine supplier Mercedes.
That was indirectly acknowledged by Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff in the renewal announcement as he claimed McLaren’s form showed what is necessary for F1 to become a more competitive championship.
“It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams,” said 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.”
McLaren is the first team to confirm a Mercedes partnership for the new engine era.
Williams also looks likely to renew, while Aston Martin will switch to a Honda works deal for 2026.
There had been discussions about McLaren striking an alternative engine deal, with Audi interested in buying into the team and making McLaren its works partner for 2026, but McLaren’s shareholders felt retaining control of the team and keeping a customer deal with a proven supplier was a better option.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said the extension was a sign of confidence from “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”.
Team principal Andrea Stella said it offered “security and stability” as McLaren bids to continue its “upward trajectory”.
