McLaren Must Maximize Mercedes Power Unit Potential, Says Norris
Lando Norris has placed responsibility on McLaren to extract greater performance from their Mercedes power unit partnership. The driver believes the team needs to improve its operational efficiency rather than seeking external solutions.
Lando Norris has shifted focus onto McLaren's shoulders when discussing the team's relationship with Mercedes and the performance of the customer engine package. Rather than pointing fingers at the supplier, the British driver emphasized that the Woking-based outfit bears the responsibility for unlocking additional performance from the power unit.
Speaking on the matter, Norris suggested that McLaren's primary focus should be on refining its approach to maximize what the Mercedes engine can deliver. The driver's comments indicate a collaborative mindset, suggesting that internal improvements could yield better results than external alternatives.
His assessment places the onus squarely on the team's engineering and operational departments to find incremental gains through optimization and innovation. Norris's stance underscores McLaren's commitment to working effectively with their current power unit supplier while pursuing their competitive ambitions on track.
Original source
Crash.net
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 C18.2.2
LPUC Usage and Outsourcing
Chapter: C18
In Simple Terms
F1 engine manufacturers must build their own power units, but they're allowed to hire outside companies to help with research and development work. However, they need to keep full control of the F1 technology and can't outsource to other F1 engine makers.
- Power unit manufacturers must design and manufacture their own LPUC (Low-speed Power Unit Component)
- Outsourcing R&D and engineering to third parties is permitted if F1 rights remain exclusively with the manufacturer
- Third-party contractors cannot be other F1 power unit manufacturers
- This rule ensures manufacturers maintain competitive control while allowing practical collaboration on development
Official FIA Text
PU Manufacturers must design and manufacture LPUC themselves, but may outsource R&D/engineering to third parties if retaining exclusive F1 rights and ensuring third party is not another PU Manufacturer.
Article 1.4
Power Unit Maximum Supply Price
Chapter: SECTION C: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
In Simple Terms
F1 teams can purchase power units (engines) from suppliers at a capped price between 20-22 million euros. This price is adjusted yearly based on inflation. Any extra parts or services beyond the standard package cost extra based on what the market charges.
- Power units have a maximum supply price range of 20-22 million euros per season
- The price is automatically adjusted for inflation each year to keep costs fair
- Additional components and services beyond the standard package have separate charges
- This regulation ensures cost control while allowing suppliers fair compensation
Official FIA Text
PU supply perimeter shall be supplied at maximum price of 20-22 million euros, adjusted for Indexation as defined in Appendix 1 of Formula 1 Power Unit Financial Regulations. Additional goods/services incur charges based on market practices.
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