Andrea Stella (ITA) McLaren Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 24.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Practice Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Images
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has said that Mercedes have been “absolutely instrumental” in the team’s progress throughout the 2023 season, amid the news of an extended power unit supply.
Early Friday morning, news broke of an extended power unit partnership between supplier Mercedes and McLaren, that will see the latter run Mercedes power units from the beginning of the new 2026 engine regulations through 2030.
For Stella, there were multiple factors that led the team to continue its partnership with Mercedes and the deal has plenty of upside.
“Well, the reasoning of the decision is actually for us, it was quite straightforward, because we are very happy with the ongoing collaboration,” said Stella in Friday’s Press Conference.
“They were absolutely instrumental, even in the progress of the team this year, I have to say, but above all, the kind of reassurance we got from a technical point of view, the operational standards, just how solid is what we saw, when we checked what was at stake for 2026, made this decision quite simple for us.
“So, we are just delighted that we have this level of continuity and stability as we look forward.
“And yeah, we are delighted that we could make this announcement.”
Lando Norris (GBR), McLaren F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 09.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Images
McLaren entered 2023 as a calamitous effort struggling to get into the points, but a successful series of updates periodically throughout the year has seen the Woking-based outfit amass several podiums, climb to fourth in the Constructors’ standings and often appear as the best car behind Red Bull.
With a return to race and championship-winning ways on the horizon, Stella was asked whether the new Mercedes engine deal was “the final piece of the jigsaw” in regards to a championship challenge.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s so easy,” Stella replied.
“It’s one of the elements you have to have.
“It’s a necessary condition, not sufficient at all.
“In order to contend for championships, there’s quite a lot of work to do that needs to be done on the chassis side.
“I think we will be competitive for the years to come from the power unit side.
“That’s for sure. That’s why we have made this decision.
“But there’s so much work to do on the chassis.
“And even this year, what we have achieved, yes it’s important – remarkable in a certain way – but already, we haven’t developed the car for a few races and we can see that some of the cars are brought some upgrades and immediately our competitiveness is not as good as it was a few races ago.
“It’s an incredibly competitive business.
“So, for us, it’s focus, certainly in the collaboration with HPP but above all, on ourselves and making sure that this momentum is carried forward into the next years.”
Keyword: Stella: Mercedes ‘absolutely instrumental’ in McLaren’s 2023 progress