Stella Criticizes Information Flow from Mercedes as F1 Transitions into 2026 Power Unit Regulations
McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella has voiced concerns about insufficient communication from Mercedes High Performance Powertrains during F1's transition to its new power unit regulations in 2026. The lack of detailed information has created challenges for the Woking-based team as they adapt to the fresh technical landscape.
As Formula 1 embarks on its new power unit era in 2026, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has highlighted frustrations regarding the communications gap between his squad and power unit supplier Mercedes High Performance Powertrains.
The level of technical detail and information being conveyed to McLaren from their engine partners has fallen short of what Stella feels is necessary to effectively navigate the dramatically altered regulatory environment. With such significant changes to the power unit specifications defining this new era, comprehensive data sharing and dialogue have become increasingly vital for teams relying on customer engine packages.
Stella's concerns underscore the broader challenges facing customer teams during major technical overhauls, where dependency on supplier support becomes especially pronounced. The communication issues between McLaren and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains highlight potential friction points as the sport settles into its revised technical framework for the 2026 campaign.
Original source
F1Technical
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article 2
Information provided by the PU Manufacturer to their customer F1 Teams
Chapter: APPENDIX C5: HOMOLOGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER UNITS, FUEL AND OIL FOR 2026-2030
In Simple Terms
Engine manufacturers must give F1 teams detailed plans and specifications of their power units in two stages: a preliminary version by August and a final version by November of the year before competition. If anything significant changes after August, the manufacturer must notify teams immediately, and if teams think the changes are unfair, they can ask the FIA to investigate within 7 days.
- Engine manufacturers must provide preliminary technical specifications and 3D models to teams by August 1st of the year before competition
- Final detailed specifications, operating parameters, and installation procedures must be submitted by November 1st
- Any significant changes after August 1st require immediate notification to customer teams and FIA approval
- Customer teams have 7 days to challenge unreasonable changes, with the FIA deciding within 14 days whether modifications are acceptable
Official FIA Text
Any PU Manufacturer intending to supply a Power Unit to an F1 Team during a Championship (year N) must: a. Declare to the FIA, before 1 August of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. An initial full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Preliminary estimates of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. b. Declare to the FIA, before 1 November of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. A final full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Firm predictions of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. iii. Initial details of any other parts, procedures, operating conditions and limits or any other information required by the team to install and operate the Power Unit as intended. After the 1 August of year N-1, any significant change compared to previous communication, must be notified to the customer F1 Teams in due time. Should a Customer Team consider that the change has an unreasonable impact on the Power Unit installation in the car, they may contact the FIA within 7 days of the notification. The FIA will then contact the relevant PU Manufacturer and its customer F1 Teams in order to conduct its investigation. If the FIA is satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that these changes are acceptable, the FIA will confirm to the PU Manufacturer and the customer F1 Teams within 14 days that they may be carried out.
Article 2.2
2026 Power Unit Regulations
Chapter: Chapter II - Power Unit Changes
In Simple Terms
2026 brings major engine rule changes. The complex MGU-H is removed to cut costs and attract new manufacturers. To compensate, the MGU-K becomes much more powerful and the battery is bigger. The goal is simpler, more sustainable power units that are still cutting-edge.
- MGU-H removed from power units
- MGU-K power increased significantly
- Larger energy store capacity
- Aims to attract new manufacturers
Official FIA Text
For 2026, the power unit will comprise a 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged internal combustion engine with a significantly enhanced electrical component. The MGU-H will be removed. The electrical power output will increase substantially with a more powerful MGU-K and larger energy store.
Article C17.4.8
TRC/FSC Information Restrictions
Chapter: C17
In Simple Terms
Teams can only share basic technical information about their steering and fuel systems with other teams that's needed to make the cars work together. They're not allowed to share secrets about how to make their cars faster or details specific to certain race tracks.
- Only design and operation data for TRC (steering) and FSC (fuel) systems can be shared between teams
- Circuit-specific information is strictly prohibited from being shared
- Performance optimization software cannot be disclosed to other teams
- Information sharing is limited to what's necessary for technical integration and basic functionality
Official FIA Text
Information on TRC or FSC strictly limited to designs necessary for integration and operation data. Prohibited: circuit-specific information, software for performance optimization.
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