Technical Upgrades at Spa
McLaren has confirmed that its Formula 1 team will receive the latest specification of Mercedes high-performance power units at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. The team, which is one of four Mercedes customer outfits, is the final one to integrate the new unit following its debut in the factory Mercedes cars during the Austrian Grand Prix.
The upgrade primarily focuses on reliability rather than raw power output. Previous iterations of the Mercedes power unit encountered issues earlier in the season, including race-ending failures for George Russell in Canada and Kimi Antonelli in Barcelona. By adopting the third iteration of the internal combustion engine (ICE), Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will remain within their seasonal allotment, avoiding grid penalties.
New Rear Wing and Development Strategy
In addition to the engine update, McLaren is set to evaluate a new rear-wing assembly during practice sessions at Spa-Francorchamps. Technical Director Neil Houldley noted that the component is part of the team’s ongoing development pathway. While the team hopes for a performance gain, Houldley tempered expectations, citing the energy-management demands of the Belgian circuit.
“We’re arriving at Spa with a new rear wing assembly, an upgrade we’ve had in the pipeline as part of the car’s development pathway,” Houldley stated. He added that the team is preparing for unpredictable weather conditions, which they intend to use as a data-gathering opportunity for low-grip performance.
Looking ahead, McLaren is also preparing a “significant” update package for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix as the team continues to refine its MCL40 machine and pivot away from earlier design concepts that have proven less effective during the current season.