McLaren has signed a new long-term deal with Mercedes-Benz to use its power unit and remain partners until 2030 season.
McLaren had a set deal with Mercedes-Benz to use its power unit until the 2025 F1 season and were exploring its options for beyond that. The new regulations would have given them new opportunities but the Woking-based outfit has decided for continuity.
Even though the likes of Honda and Ferrari have recently gained momentum against Mercedes, McLaren are sticking to a partner with whom it has found success in the past. After troubles with Honda in the hybrid era and low-key run with Renault, they joined hands with Mercedes in 2021 and has seen good amount of success.
The recent form of McLaren has been tremendous as they are among Mercedes and Ferrari group. Looking at the future, the team is keeping faith on the German manufacturer after signing a new deal that runs from 2026 until the 2030 season.
McLaren is the first customer team to confirm their status for things beyond the 2025 season. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with McLaren Racing to at least the end of this decade,” said Markus Schaefer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer.
“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 1.”
Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff stated: “It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams. 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.”
Mercedes’ power unit head Hywel Thomas added: “The team at HPP enjoys a long and successful history with McLaren, and we’re delighted to confirm the extension of the relationship into the new regulation cycle. Securing this agreement now, with two full seasons until we race the 2026 power unit, gives us a great opportunity to optimise our combined efforts for lap time. We are looking forward to renewing our relationship and working together towards that goal.”
On the side of McLaren, team boss Zak Brown said: “Mercedes-Benz have 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.”
And finally, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added: “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.”
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