Ralf Schumacher thinks McLaren are using Mercedes power unit as a distraction for tricky 2026 start

Follow us on Google Discover

With McLaren sharing their frustration over the Mercedes power unit, Ralf Schumacher believes they are using this to take focus away from their poor start.

Mercedes built their power unit for themselves, along with three other customer teams, including McLaren. While Mercedes have harnessed the most of the power unit, the same can’t be said for their rivals.

Williams and McLaren have complained about Mercedes seemingly withholding information about the power unit while benefiting from their own internal understanding.

Are Mercedes’ rivals hiding behind 2026 ‘excuses’?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

In response, Toto Wolff has claimed Mercedes can’t satisfy all their customers and their concerns as a power unit supplier.

Ralf Schumacher has come to Mercedes’ defence in this matter and suggested that McLaren are hiding behind the power unit issues so they don’t have to address their other concerns.

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc hints George Russell’s defence of new F1 regulations backed by Mercedes ‘advantage’

Ralf Schumacher dismisses idea that Mercedes withheld power unit data

Ralf Schumacher spoke on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast about the recent complaints from McLaren about Mercedes allegedly withholding information about the power unit.

Schumacher rubbished these claims and suggested that McLaren is playing the blame game more because of their inability to adapt to the new regulations.

“First of all, it must be said that Toto Wolff has nothing to do with the Mercedes engine side. The customer is the same, with the team being the factory team, which is the first to try things out…”

“I would be surprised if the information wasn’t there at all, or only on the last day of testing. That can happen, but Mercedes is always very transparent about this. What good does that do them?”

“Last year, because things weren’t going so well for their own team, at least a Mercedes power unit was in front and had the strongest engine, which is what they expect.”

Max Verstappen called it

Did Mercedes' rivals show too much in testing?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

READ MORE: McLaren have aerodynamic ‘deficiency’ that means they can’t compete with Mercedes yet

Ralf Schumacher believes McLaren and customer teams should ‘keep quiet’ about Mercedes power unit

Ralf Schumacher added that Mercedes returning back to form is a big reason why McLaren are complaining, and that Mercedes have adapted better than the rest.

“Yes, from my point of view, and I think you also have to see that Mercedes’ strengths were before this tunnel era… Now, in the era when Mercedes is strong again, they’ve come back to the concept.”

“This key seems to work perfectly with Mercedes, and has become even more important now with this level of performance…”

“That’s why the teams should keep quiet, because I can say one thing for sure. Anyone who knows Mercedes, as I do… I can tell you, they know why (other teams) doing this.”