McLaren drops first sound of 2026 engine ahead of car launch

The Woking outfit, which will continue running Mercedes engines under the new regulations, shared footage of its 2026 fire-up across its social media platforms. The clip featured several key figures within the team, including team principal Andrea Stella.

This post follows those of several other teams, including the most recent from Scuderia Ferrari and customer outfit Cadillac F1, who shared footage of their 2026 power unit.

While the McLaren team has offered a teaser of the sound of its power unit for the new regulations, the Woking-based outfit will unveil its 2026 challenger on 9 February, two days before the commencement of the first pre-season test of the new regulation cycle.

Earlier, former Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko tipped Lando Norris to win the drivers’ championship. The 82-year-old, in his prediction, pointed out the factor of the Mercedes power unit as pivotal to potentially deciding the outlook of the drivers' crown.

The Austrian motorsport chief also noted that George Russell could be in with a shot at winning the title if he shows readiness similar to Norris. Marko, however, concluded by offering a cautious verdict on the possibility of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claiming his fifth title.

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