Mercedes Engines Power McLaren's Dominance, Frustrating Wolff

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is increasingly frustrated as customer team McLaren dominates Formula 1, powered by Mercedes engines from Brixworth.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' own factory team is struggling while their engine customer excels. This creates internal questions and strategic dilemmas for the Silver Arrows, especially given their historical context.

The big picture:

This isn't a new issue for Mercedes. The manufacturer has faced similar situations before where customer teams with their engines outperformed the works team. The current engine supply deal with McLaren, initiated by Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius in 2020, gives McLaren a significant competitive edge.

The details:

• Internal Discomfort: Sky expert Ralf Schumacher highlighted the internal discomfort at Mercedes, stating it raises 'some questions'.
• Historical Precedent: Former Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug recalled McLaren often outperforming Mercedes from 2010 to 2012 with their engines, noting that while outwardly treated lightly, it was 'questioned internally'.
• Deal Initiation: The current deal was personally signed by Ola Källenius and McLaren co-owner Mansour Ojjeh. Then-McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl was a driving force, recognizing the potential for greater success with Mercedes power over Renault.
• Wolff's Position: Toto Wolff was unable to prevent the deal at the time and now sees McLaren in a top position largely due to Mercedes power units, much to his chagrin.
• 'McLaren Humiliation': Wolff described McLaren's performance at the Dutch GP as a 'humiliation' for the entire field. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur offered a more measured view, acknowledging McLaren's strength but not going as far as Wolff.
• MCL39's Dominance: The McLaren MCL39 is proving to be the benchmark in 2025, demonstrating speed, reliability, and adaptability. This comes as many teams begin shifting focus to the new 2026 regulations.

What's next:

Mercedes faces the significant challenge of catching up to McLaren and Red Bull. Adding to Wolff's frustration, Mercedes is contractually obligated to supply engines to McLaren until at least 2030, putting additional pressure on the factory team to find performance and regain its competitive edge.