Steiner Urges McLaren to Build Its Own Engine After Stella Flags Mercedes Shortfall

Overview

• McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has publicly said the team is leaving performance on the table when using the Mercedes High‑Performance Powertrains (HPP) package and that conversations with HPP must continue.
• Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner told a podcast that McLaren should stop relying on customer engines and invest in its own power unit, arguing the manufacturer has the money and would gain sporting and commercial benefits.
• The comments come with McLaren still winless through nine races while Mercedes has taken seven victories, a gap that has intensified scrutiny of whether the fault lies with Mercedes’ engine, McLaren’s MCL40 chassis, or how the two are integrated.
• Building an in‑house F1 engine would require major new spending, specialist staff, and multiple seasons of development under the sport’s separate engine cost controls, making it a high‑risk, long‑lead strategic choice rather than an immediate fix.
• Coverage since the British Grand Prix this week has framed the issue as an ongoing debate: McLaren continues technical talks with Mercedes HPP and has made no decision to change supplier strategy.