Mercedes AMG F1 team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the decision to supply McLaren with power units was a misstep, as McLaren has surpassed Mercedes in performance during the 2024 and 2025 Formula 1 seasons. McLaren claimed the constructors’ championship in 2024 and has continued to dominate the 2025 championship, showcasing significantly improved pace and engine efficiency.

Starting in 2021, Mercedes entered into a partnership to provide McLaren with their power units. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the key change for McLaren from the 2020 to 2021 season was the introduction of this new engine. Since late 2023, McLaren has gained a clear advantage over Mercedes, translating to superior race pace and better power unit management.

In the 2024 season, McLaren, often referred to as the “Papaya” team due to their distinctive orange livery, secured the constructors’ title while Mercedes finished fourth. McLaren’s winning form has continued into 2025, with nine wins from the first twelve races, further cementing their status as the leading force on the grid this year.

Reflecting on this situation, Wolff expressed doubts about the wisdom of the deal during a Sky Italia interview, saying:

“That’s also hard for me to explain. Look at where they were three, four years ago, when we signed the deal with them that they were going to use our fast engines for the next few years.”

“Then they were 18th and it was easy to make such a decision. With the knowledge of today, I don’t know if it was the most intelligent choice in my life to make that deal with them, haha,” added Wolff.

McLaren stands out as the only Mercedes-powered team without an engine-related retirement throughout the 2025 season. While reliability has troubled teams like Williams, McLaren’s engineering efforts have optimized the power unit to offer both durability and consistent performance.

How McLaren’s Engineering Excellence Boosted Their Competitive Edge

Toto Wolff has publicly acknowledged McLaren’s engineering team for their role in turning the British team into the dominant F1 contender. Currently at the top of the 2025 constructors‘ championship, McLaren holds a commanding 238-point lead over Ferrari, who occupy second place.

During the Sky Italia interview, Wolff pointed out that McLaren has excelled particularly under hot weather conditions, which has been a significant factor in their performance advantage.

“They have it really well together in terms of engineering and that’s why they perform so insanely well, especially in hot conditions,” said Wolff.

Hot ambient temperatures have presented challenges for Mercedes’ cars, as the W16 model, continuing the trend of its predecessor the W15, shows strong form in colder climates but falls behind rivals when temperatures rise. Wolff cited examples such as being the fastest team in the cooler Canadian Grand Prix contrasted against being a full minute slower in the hotter Austrian race held just a week later.

This temperature-dependent performance disparity underscores ongoing challenges for Mercedes in their vehicle and power unit design, even as McLaren appears to have found a winning formula that balances speed and reliability across diverse conditions.

Implications of the Partnership and Future Outlook for Mercedes

The Mercedes mistake partnering with McLaren to supply power units has reshaped the competitive landscape in Formula 1. McLaren’s rise from 18th place a few years ago to championship leaders today illustrates how quickly fortunes can change with technical improvements and strategic execution.

Toto Wolff’s open admission of regret signals potential shifts for Mercedes, who must now reassess their approach as they trail behind one of their own engine customers. The ongoing 2025 season remains a proving ground for Mercedes to address known weaknesses, especially in managing performance in warmer conditions and achieving greater reliability.

As McLaren continues to dominate the field, Mercedes faces the challenge of innovating further to reclaim their previous supremacy in F1, while the power unit partnership stands as a cautionary tale about customer relationships in high-stakes motorsport development.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?

A. Yes, the number 13 is allowed. Pastor Maldonado chose it when F1 started using permanent numbers in 2014. While some cultures see it as unlucky, F1 let drivers decide for themselves.

Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?

A. Lewis Hamilton, who was born in 1985, is a British Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes team. He has also driven for McLaren. He openly talks about his experiences with ADHD and shares his wide range of interests and hobbies.

Q. Why is 17 banned in F1?

A. The number 17 is the sole driver number in Formula 1 that has been officially retired. This honors the late Jules Bianchi, a French driver who had number 17 when he had a tragic accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Q. Which F1 drivers have ADHD?

A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British Formula One driver racing for Mercedes and previously drove for McLaren. He openly shares his experiences living with ADHD and explores his various interests and hobbies.