Both McLaren drivers will benefit from Mercedes’ latest Formula One engine specification at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, two rounds after it debuted in Mercedes works cars.
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell received a new Mercedes power unit specification in Austria, which featured a number of reliability improvements. The company’s other customers, Alpine and Williams, tested the new version at Silverstone a week later.
McLaren didn’t switch to it at the Red Bull Ring or Silverstone because it still had range on its existing power units, having already changed a host of components due to reliability issues in 2026, including two separate battery problems that prevented Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from starting the Chinese Grand Prix in March.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, both McLarens will be equipped with the latest power unit for the first time, as well as a completely new rear wing, which will be “tested and evaluated in Friday practice.”
McLaren had previously brought its version of the Macarena spinwing to Austria and had intended to test it in practice, but abandoned plans to take it to the track.
“Our preparations have been thorough, using extensive modeling work to prepare for what we know will be a very challenging weekend for energy management,” said McLaren technical director of applications engineering Neil Holdy.
“We arrive at Spa with a new rear wing, an upgrade that is under development as part of the car’s development.
“We are confident that this update will add some performance to our car, but we are fully aware that after a difficult British Grand Prix, mainly from a pure performance point of view, even this round will not be so easy, so we do not expect any big changes in terms of competitiveness.”
McLaren has planned what it calls a “significant” package for the Hungarian Grand Prix, admitting it is now “moving away” from the original concept.