Steiner Advises Wolff to End Mercedes' McLaren Engine Supply

Guenther Steiner has advised Toto Wolff to stop supplying Mercedes engines to McLaren, arguing that the Woking-based team's resurgence as a title contender makes them too dangerous a rival to continue supporting. Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, the former Haas team principal suggested Mercedes could instead focus on Alpine and Williams, satisfying regulatory obligations while eliminating a direct threat.

Why it matters:

• Mercedes currently supplies engines to three customer teams: McLaren, Alpine, and Williams. Regulations only mandate supplying up to two. Cutting McLaren loose would deny a championship-winning outfit access to Mercedes' power unit, potentially weakening their competitiveness.
• McLaren secured both titles in 2025 and, after a slow start to the 2026 season under new regulations, has rapidly recovered—finishing second in Japan with Oscar Piastri and showing strong pace in Miami. They are now seen as a serious threat to Mercedes.

The Details:

• Steiner's blunt advice: "If I were Toto, I would do that. It’s an easy solution to avoid getting beaten. All right, I just wouldn’t give you an engine anymore. You’re not obliged to do more than that. Alpine and Williams, done."
• Steiner acknowledged Wolff's sportsmanship: "But again, Toto is a sportsman. He gives his best piece to his biggest opponent."
• Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok revealed that figures inside Mercedes and McLaren are not overly worried about Ferrari's title chances after the Scuderia's Miami upgrade flop. Ferrari introduced 11 changes to the SF-26 but failed to make a significant step forward, losing ground to both McLaren and Red Bull.
• Chandhok noted that Miami was seen as Ferrari's moment to leap ahead, but instead, they appear to have fallen back. Mercedes is still preparing its own upgrade package for Canada.

What's next:

• Mercedes' next major upgrade is expected at the Canadian Grand Prix, which could further solidify its position. If McLaren continues to close the gap, the engine supply debate may intensify inside Brackley.
• Ferrari faces growing pressure to find performance quickly, while McLaren will aim to build on its Miami momentum. The strategic implications of Steiner's suggestion could linger in the paddock, even if Wolff is unlikely to act on it immediately.