McLaren clarifies why it's still running older-spec Mercedes engines

McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has shed light on why the reigning F1 world champions are still running an older-spec Mercedes power unit, confirming that the team is yet to receive the latest upgraded specification introduced by Mercedes.

While the German manufacturer’s factory squad introduced its newest engine at the Austrian Grand Prix – primarily focused on reliability improvements rather than outright performance gains – the rollout to customer teams has already begun.

Williams and Alpine have since moved onto the updated unit at Silverstone, but McLaren remains the notable exception.

Despite the delay, Brown played down any suggestion of concern or internal frustration, framing the situation as part of the normal cycle of engine usage across a long season.

McLaren still waiting in the upgrade queue

On Friday at Silverstone, Brown clarified the team’s current position in the supply order.

“We need to get the current Mercedes engine,” Brown explained. “We’re the only one without the new engine, which will be coming for us shortly.”

With rivals already benefiting from the updated unit, McLaren’s absence from the rollout has naturally raised questions about competitive balance.

However, Brown was quick to dismiss the idea that the situation is a source of tension within the championship-winning outfit.

“Of course we’d like to have it,” he added. “Any time you have performance that you know is coming but you don’t have it on your car yet, you want to get it as quickly as possible.

“But I wouldn’t say it’s a frustration. It just is what it is and we just keep our head down and keep pushing hard and it’ll be in the back in not too long.”

‘Just a timing sequence’ as McLaren manage engine life cycle

Brown explained that McLaren’s current approach is guided more by usage strategy than urgency, with the team still managing usable mileage on its existing pool of power units.

“You’ve got to cycle through your engines and we’ve got life left on our current engines, so we need to wait till we do an engine change,” he said.

He also pointed to circumstance-driven changes for other customer teams as part of why the upgrade has reached some garages sooner than others.

“Williams got theirs because Carlos [Sainz] had his issues. He needed an engine change. I don’t recall exactly the scenario but I think you’ve got two of them. So, it’s just a timing sequence,” he clarified.

The explanation underlines the broader logistical reality of modern Formula 1 engine management, where reliability usage, penalties, and strategic swaps often dictate when teams receive updated hardware.

Even as McLaren wait for parity on the latest Mercedes specification, Brown remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory in 2026, pointing to development work still in the pipeline.

• Read also: Norris grateful to McLaren mechanics for saving Sprint qualifying

Team papaya gave yet to claim a Grand Prix victory this season, with Mercedes dominating much of the win tally and Ferrari breaking through for the only non-Mercedes victory so far.

Still, Brown believes McLaren’s response is coming.

“We have some work to do,” he admitted. “We will catch up. I think we’ll be winning races this year, so quite optimistic for the future.”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook