P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren: Staying with Mercedes for F1 2026 straightforward after receiving "reassurance"
McLaren recently announced that it has extended its deal with Mercedes for another five seasons, from 2026 to 2030. This decision makes McLaren one of the last teams to secure an engine manufacturer, with only Williams remaining to sign up for the rules shift in 2026 and beyond. McLaren’s Team Principal, Andrea Stella, explained that staying with Mercedes was an easy choice due to the continuity and reassurances they received regarding the progress of Mercedes’ 2026 power unit. This decision provides McLaren with a level of continuity and stability as they strive to return to the front of the grid. While the Mercedes powertrain is an important element, Stella emphasized that there is still a lot of work to be done on the chassis side in order to contend for championships.
