McLaren is one of the most successful teams in Formula One history, having won countless races and multiple championships over the years. The team is known for its cutting-edge engineering and innovative use of technology, making it a favorite among drivers and fans alike. Having been founded back in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren, it is also one of the oldest teams in the sport,
With the time and resources at its disposal, McLaren has always been at the forefront of engine technology in F1. Over the years, they have used a variety of different engines in their cars to give them a competitive edge on the track. They have opted to use external engine suppliers throughout their time in Formula One.
So, what engine does McLaren use in F1 today? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the engine McLaren is currently using, how it compares to its rivals, and some of the other engines they have used in the past. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Watch this video to see the difference between a “regular” engine and a Formula 1 engine.
What engine does McLaren use in F1?
McLaren uses the engine made by Mercedes-Benz as their primary source of power in F1. From the technical aspects, it is a very impressive and advanced engine, with a turbocharger, direct injection, and 6 cylinders arranged in a V-layout.
Throughout their existence in Formula 1, McLaren has relied on some external engine suppliers to power their cars. These include Honda, TAG-Porsche, Ford Cosworth, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. As of 2022, they are using the Mercedes-Benz engine and will continue to do so until 2024.
Key takeaways
- McLaren use a turbocharged, six-cylinder engine made by Mercedes-Benz
- This engine is considered to be one of the most advanced and powerful in F1 today
- McLaren has used many different engine suppliers throughout its history in F1, including Honda, TAG-Porsche, Ford Cosworth, BMW, and others
- They currently work with Mercedes-Benz and are expected to continue doing so until at least 2024
- Despite not having their own engine manufacturing capabilities, McLaren has enjoyed great success on the track with their various engine suppliers over the years.
Does McLaren make their own F1 engine?
Many top teams such as Mercedes and Ferrari are known for their in-house engine manufacturing capabilities, McLaren does not make their own engines. They have always relied on external suppliers throughout their time in F1, and have had great success doing so. They are currently working with Mercedes-Benz, who have some of the most advanced engines in F1 today.
With no engine manufacturing capabilities of their own, McLaren has had to outsource this important aspect of their racing operations. McLaren have always had a strong relationship with external suppliers, and continue to enjoy success on the track as they work with Mercedes-Benz today.
Which Formula 1 team uses the same engine?
Are there any other teams that use the same engine as McLaren in F1? Some of the other top teams in Formula One that are currently using Mercedes-Benz engines include Aston Martin, McLaren and Williams.
Mercedes
Mercedes is one of the most successful teams in F1 today, having won numerous races and championships over the years. They are powered by the same engine as McLaren, and have a reputation for developing cutting-edge technology and engineering.
The 2022 season hasn’t proved to be the most successful for Mercedes, as they have been consistently beaten by their rivals, Ferrari and Red Bull. Despite this, they continue to be a dominant force in the sport, and are expected to bounce back and reclaim their title as F1 champions.
McLaren
As discussed earlier, McLaren is one of the teams using Mercedes-Benz engines today. They have had a long and successful history in F1, with many impressive wins and championships. Like Mercedes, they are known for their strong focus on innovation, technology, and engineering excellence.
They have entrusted Mercedes-Benz to provide them with an engine that will help them succeed on the track. However, they have not enjoyed as much success in 2022 as they had hoped, struggling to keep up with their rivals.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is yet another team that uses a Mercedes-Benz engine in F1. They haven’t been as successful as Mercedes or McLaren, but have shown signs of promise in recent seasons. They are considered to be one of the up-and-coming teams in F1, and have shown great potential for the future.
Williams
Williams is another team that uses a Mercedes-Benz engine in F1. They have enjoyed some success in the sport, but are currently struggling to keep up with other top teams. Nevertheless, they remain a strong contender, and are expected to make a comeback in the near future.
With no engine manufacturing capabilities of their own, McLaren has had to outsource this important aspect of their racing operations. However, they have always had a strong relationship with external suppliers, and continue to enjoy success on the track as they work with Mercedes-Benz today.
What's wrong with Mercedes' 2022 engine?
If you’ve been following along this season, you might have noticed that Mercedes’ power unit has not been performing as well as expected. Although the team has enjoyed great success in the Formula One Constructors title over the past few years, their performance in 2022 has fallen short of expectations.
Teams using the Mercedes engine, such as McLaren, Aston Martin, and Williams, have all shown signs of struggle this season, often far behind the leaders. Experts have suggested that this may be due to weaknesses in the Mercedes power unit, which is not performing as well as it should be.
It remains to be seen whether the recent staff changes at Mercedes are having a negative effect on their performance or if there are other factors at play. Regardless, it seems clear that the Mercedes power unit is a significant factor in the struggles of these teams this season. Whether they can reclaim their former glory and improve their results remains to be seen.
Other F1 engine manufacturers and customers
| F1 engine suppliers | Teams using the engine |
|---|---|
| Ferrari engine | Ferrari Haas Alfa Romeo |
| Mercedes engine | Mercedes McLaren Aston Martin Williams |
| Red Bull engine | Red Bull AlphaTauri |
| Renault engine | Alpine |
Let’s take a look at some of the other Formula 1 teams and their engine suppliers:
Ferrari
Ferrari is one of the oldest and most famous brands in Formula 1, having won numerous championships over the years. The Ferrari engine is designed by a team of experts at Maranello, Italy, and is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and sophisticated engines on the F1 grid. It is used by the following teams:
- Ferrari
- Alfa Romeo
- Haas
Mercedes
Mercedes is another powerhouse in the world of Formula 1, having developed a number of championship-winning engines over the years. The Mercedes engine is designed and manufactured by a team of engineers in Brixworth, UK, and is considered to be one of the most advanced engines on the grid.
The teams that use this engine include:
- Mercedes
- McLaren
- Aston Martin
- Williams
Red Bull Powertrains
Bull Powertrains. Although, Red Bull is still using the engines manufactured by Honda and will continue to do so until 2025. After that Red Bull Powertrains is expected to become the team’s primary engine supplier, providing cutting-edge power units that can help them achieve top performance on race days. It will supply engines to these teams:
- Red Bull
- AlphaTauri
Renault
Renault is another popular engine supplier in the F1 world, known for designing and manufacturing powertrains that are both powerful and reliable. Currently, only one team use Renault engines on the grid :
- Alpine
Frequently asked questions
Are McLaren making their own engines in F1?
Are McLaren F1 engines bad?
Why is McLaren F1 engine not as fast as Red Bulls?
Conclusion
So, there you have it: McLaren uses a Mercedes-Benz engine in F1, along with other top teams like Aston Martin, McLaren, and Williams. Given their impressive track record in the sport, it is clear that McLaren has a lot of faith in Mercedes-Benz as an engine supplier.
However, they have not been able to achieve the same level of success in 2022 as they have in previous seasons, and will need to work hard to keep up with their competitors in the coming years. Nevertheless, they have a strong team and are expected to continue challenging for the F1 championship in the years ahead.
