According to former driver and analyst Martin Brundle, the intra-team scrap between Mercedes and McLaren could sharpen significantly this season. He points to the recent success of the papayas, who’ve taken the constructors’ title in the past two years and last season also claimed the drivers’ world championship with Lando Norris. McLaren remains a customer team of Mercedes, which itself is keen on a comeback at the top.
McLaren’s success will not have gone unnoticed at Mercedes, especially with the works team intent on contesting new titles again in 2026. Brundle told Sky Sports how that might feel internally. “Can you imagine Toto (Wolff, ed.) sitting in a board meeting at Mercedes and being told that McLaren, their customer team, has won the last two championships?” the Brit asked. “In 2025 they dominated the season with nearly twice as many points as the runner-up. I don’t think Toto will be very happy about that. He’s hugely competitive and will do everything to beat McLaren.”
‘Could get pretty intense’
The Mercedes power unit left a strong impression last week during the shakedown in Barcelona, logging more than a thousand trouble-free laps split between Mercedes, McLaren and Alpine. As a result, many are tipping Toto Wolff‘s team as the favourite. Brundle nonetheless expects McLaren won’t go down without a fight. “The highly competitive Mercedes will do everything to beat McLaren this year, and of course the reverse applies. That could get pretty intense.”
Brundle also says the regulations prevent Mercedes from manufacturing an artificial advantage for the works team. “The rules make it impossible to supply an inferior product to customer teams,” he explained. “That’s written down very strictly. McLaren already had virtually full prior knowledge of the power unit, because it’s been developed and run in the simulator for months.” He adds one caveat. “I’m sure Mercedes will only tell McLaren what is strictly necessary, and preferably as late as possible. Honestly, in their position I’d do exactly the same.”
