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McLaren Secures Latest Mercedes F1 Engine After Two Races
Highlights
- McLaren to use latest Mercedes engine starting Belgian Grand Prix
- Engine upgrade follows Mercedes debut two races earlier
- New rear wing tested during Friday practice at Spa
- Upgrade aims to boost performance on energy-demanding track
- Significant upgrade package planned for Hungarian Grand Prix
- McLaren adjusts development to close gap with Mercedes
McLaren will adopt Mercedes’ new F1 power unit at the Belgian Grand Prix, two races after its works debut, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri receiving the update at Spa.
The specification first ran in Austria with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, before Alpine and Williams adopted it at Silverstone as part of Mercedes’ customer rollout.
McLaren delayed the switch to maximise mileage on existing units after a reliability-hit season, including battery failures that stopped Norris and Piastri starting the Chinese Grand Prix.
Both McLaren cars will run the updated Mercedes power unit at Spa.
Further background on those setbacks is outlined in McLaren’s 2026 review, which details the delays and mitigations.
Spa’s energy sensitivity raises the importance of deployment efficiency. The new unit should allow cleaner harvesting and delivery, while McLaren trials a fresh rear wing during Friday practice.
McLaren will evaluate a new rear wing in Friday’s Spa practice sessions.
Neil Houldey says extensive simulation work underpins the package. He expects a modest step, cautioning that British Grand Prix pace indicated McLaren cannot count on dramatic repositioning.
The team previously showcased a rotating ‘Macarena’ wing in Austria but did not race it. This latest rear wing continues the push to balance load, drag, and energy demands.
Recent Mercedes gains raise the competitive bar. Their reliability-focused upgrade has coincided with stronger form, shaping the fight with Ferrari and others.
A “significant” upgrade package is planned for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren plans a significant Hungary package and is reshaping its concept to close a three‑month development lag behind the factory programme.
That strategic shift reflects Andrea Stella’s emphasis on methodical gains and correlation, rather than quick fixes.
For Norris and Piastri, the Spa baseline will be critical. Any recovery in deployment and trimmed drag should show in sectors one and three, guiding setup and part selection.
The Belgian weekend therefore offers a clear read on reliability progress and whether incremental aero gains can stabilise McLaren’s race-day competitiveness.
Visual Summary
New Mercedes Power
LN
Norris
OP
Piastri
New Rear Wing
🚀 McLaren finally unleashes the latest Mercedes engine at Spa – both cars get the upgrade and a new rear wing!
AUST
SILV
SPA
HUN
🕒 Mercedes debuted upgrade in Austria → Alpine/Williams at Silverstone → Now McLaren at Spa
👀 McLaren held back – battered by reliability issues in 2026, including two costly battery failures. Will these new parts finally deliver speed AND dependability at the Ultra-fast Spa?
“Our simulations say the new wing and engine should offer a boost – but don’t expect instant miracles.”
— Neil Houldey, Technical Director
— Neil Houldey, Technical Director
On the Horizon: Hungary brings a bigger upgrade package as McLaren battles to close the gap to Mercedes.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
