McLaren CEO Zak Brown says McLaren could consider developing its own Formula 1 engines if the economics make sense, as debate grows over the sport’s future power unit regulations.

His comments follow suggestions from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem that Formula 1 could return to simpler V8 engines in a future rules cycle, potentially around 2030 or 2031. Such a shift, he argued, could reduce costs and make in-house engine programmes more realistic for teams.

McLaren currently runs Mercedes power units under a long-term customer agreement that extends until at least 2030. The partnership has delivered strong recent results, including back-to-back constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and a drivers’ championship for Lando Norris.

Despite this success, team principal Andrea Stella has said McLaren’s status as a customer team left it “on the back foot” during early development for the 2026 season, fuelling speculation that the team could eventually explore alternatives such as a works partnership or building its own engines.

Brown stressed that McLaren is very satisfied with its current Mercedes partnership but confirmed the team would assess any future engine regulations if they proved financially and technically viable.

He also highlighted that McLaren already has experience in powertrain development through its MCL-HY hypercar project for the World Endurance Championship, where it is building its own twin-turbo V6 engine ahead of a 2027 debut.

For now, McLaren remains committed to Mercedes, but Brown’s comments suggest the team is keeping the option open should Formula 1’s next regulatory era make independent engine production a practical choice.