Power house
Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains (HPP) developed the M12 2021 Formula 1 power unit, chasing every possible improvement to deliver a step forward when it hit the track in all eight cars it powered during the 2021 season. Going into the eighth season of stable regulations, the power unit manufacturers understand the current hybrid engines, but rule stability also means it’s increasingly challenging to unlock additional performance. Teams therefore need a highly focused approach.
According to Hywel Thomas, managing director of Mercedes HPP, ahead of the 2021 season Mercedes-AMG HPP identified three main areas on which to work: improving the efficiency; improving technology in the power unit and improving reliability, while also adding innovation into the racing power unit. That was particularly challenging because last season finished late. Hence, the winter development period was shorter than average and gave the teams less time to prepare, putting extra strain on the industry.
The hunt for performance was emphasised further by the 2021 technical regulation that permitted a single hardware performance specification, rather than allowing upgrades at different points throughout the season.
Three’s a crowd
There was also an increased production workload in the build up to the 2021 season, with McLaren joining the stable of Mercedes customer teams, That presented an extra challenge for engineers at the Brixworth, UK-based factory. The 2021 season marked the first time a Mercedes PU has powered a McLaren since 2014.
‘A third customer team did put more pressure on the organisation,’ admits Thomas. ‘We needed to take more engines to winter testing and all the races, but we didn’t want to
