Formula 1 arrives at Spa-Francorchamps with McLaren finally ready to reap the rewards of a patient development strategy. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will receive the latest Mercedes power unit update, a package designed primarily to improve reliability rather than deliver outright performance. As the final Mercedes customer team to introduce the new specification, the Woking outfit is aiming to further strengthen its 2026 campaign by combining the revised engine with a brand-new aerodynamic package tailored to the unique demands of the Ardennes circuit.
Reliability gains without grid penalties
Unlike traditional engine upgrades that focus on increasing horsepower, Mercedes’ latest specification has been developed to address reliability concerns. Alpine and Williams introduced the updated power unit before the British Grand Prix, while McLaren deliberately postponed its introduction until Spa in order to avoid disrupting its planned engine allocation strategy.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will use their third internal combustion engine (ICE) of the season—well within the regulatory limit of four—meaning the change comes without any grid penalties. The updated unit is also expected to put behind the electrical issues that affected the team earlier this year in Monaco and China.
McLaren will also debut a revised rear wing at Spa-Francorchamps. The new specification is intended to replace the so-called “Macarena” configuration that was ultimately abandoned during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Engineers will evaluate the updated aerodynamic package throughout Friday’s practice sessions in an effort to identify the optimal balance for one of the most demanding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
Neil Houldley explains McLaren’s Spa preparations
Neil Houldley, McLaren’s Technical Director of Applied Engineering, outlined the team’s preparations ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.
“We have prepared meticulously in the simulator for what will be an extremely demanding weekend in terms of energy management.”
Discussing the aerodynamic package, Houldley added:
“We will use a new rear wing at Spa, an update that has always been part of our planned development programme.”
Speaking about the team’s overall competitiveness, he continued:
“The update will bring performance, but after a disappointing Silverstone weekend we remain realistic and are not expecting any dramatic shift in the competitive order.”
Finally, addressing the unique challenges of Spa-Francorchamps and the unpredictable Belgian weather, Houldley concluded:
“Belgium is an energy-hungry circuit with a high risk of ‘super clipping’, placing both the drivers and the cars under considerable stress, while the weather remains as unpredictable as ever. If it rains, we will study the behaviour of the car in low-grip conditions to gather valuable data.”
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