McLaren may develop its own F1 engine as part of a V8 revival initiative.

      McLaren may one day follow Red Bull in becoming a complete engine manufacturer for Formula 1, but this would only be possible if the sport shifts back to simpler V8-style power units. This prospect came to light after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggested it while discussing the governing body’s future regulations planned for 2030 or 2031. The FIA is advocating strongly for a transition away from the current highly complex hybrid systems towards lighter, louder, and less electrically dependent V8 engines.

      "I believe that when we introduce it, even McLaren will create their own engine," Ben Sulayem stated in an interview with Sports Business Journal. "They’re currently purchasing engines because the current units are complicated."

      McLaren CEO Zak Brown did not rule out this possibility. "If there were an engine formula that was financially feasible, we would consider it," Brown stated. "If something is proposed to us that makes financial sense, we’ll take a look at it."

      At present, McLaren relies on customer engines supplied by Mercedes and has a contract that extends to 2030. However, this relationship has experienced tension since Formula 1 introduced its new, significantly more electric power units for 2026. Earlier in the season, McLaren expressed exasperation over the challenges customer teams face in fully understanding and optimizing the extremely intricate hybrid systems without full access to the manufacturer’s resources.

      These remarks come amidst a growing political debate over the future direction of Formula 1 engines. "The racing is fantastic," Brown asserted, referring to the contentious start of the new engine era in 2026. "If you didn’t listen to the drivers and were merely watching on TV, the broadcast is impressive. There’s overtaking, lead changes, different leaders."

      Brown thinks the controversy surrounding the situation is partly due to Formula 1’s nature. "Everything in Formula 1 is scrutinized under a magnifying glass," he noted. Nonetheless, he admitted that the regulations emphasizing batteries may have gone too far. "I believe it’s reached a point where most drivers don’t enjoy it," Brown admitted. "Yet, it remains racing. We may not achieve a perfect outcome, but there has always been rule management, tire management, and now battery management."