TECH WEEKLY: How McLaren’s Mercedes power unit – and a bold wheelbase choice – has shaped early-season pace
F1 technical expert Mark Hughes takes a look at how McLaren are getting to grips with the Mercedes power unit, with illustrations from Giorgio Piola.
McLaren’s disastrous double non-start in Shanghai, because of two unrelated electrical PU problems, prevented us getting a better read on progress the team has made in closing the performance deficit to the identically-powered Mercedes team.
Qualifying in China suggested that the team had got a much better understanding of the optimum way of running the Mercedes PU. In Melbourne, the leading McLaren had qualified 0.862s off the Mercedes pole. In Shanghai the deficit was approximately halved, down to 0.486s adrift.
In China on Saturday, team boss Andrea Stella spoke about the process behind that improvement in relative pace. “We've been able to learn a bit more about how the power unit works," he said. "It's very complicated, with a very complex way of working.
Next Up
Related Articles
All the key moments from the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Bearman bags P5 after ‘deer in headlights’ Lap 1 scare
What the teams said – Race day in China
Points for Williams in China like a 'mini victory for us' – Sainz
Antonelli beats Russell for maiden F1 victory in China
China 'one of the most enjoyable races I've had' - Hamilton