Content creator Mike Lake and his build team have successfully installed a V12 engine into a full-scale, 3D-printed replica of a Formula 1 racing car.
Overcoming Tight Tolerances in the Workshop
The team placed a Mercedes M120 power unit into the replica’s plastic chassis. The 6.0-litre motor, which debuted in the 1991 S-Class as Mercedes’ inaugural production V12, stands in sharp contrast to the V6 hybrid configurations featured in modern and upcoming 2026 grand prix machinery.
In a project video published on 4 November, which has accumulated over 574,000 views, Lake conceded that the crew had “no idea” whether the massive engine would actually fit. Lacking a standard shop crane, the crew improvised by lowering the powerplant into place using the lifting arm of an automotive hoist. An initial installation run was blocked by the stock exhaust headers, but the engine seated properly on the subsequent attempt.
“I was a little bit nervous about that, to be honest. I know I act confident on camera, but you really never know how these things are going to play out,” Lake explained regarding the tight installation.
Clearance and Next Steps for the Build
The packaging remains extremely compact inside the 3D-printed bodywork. Once the exterior shell was repositioned, the engine’s valve cover protruded through an opening that Lake intends to reshape into an functional air vent.
“We have confirmed that the V12 does, in fact, fit in the 2026 F1 car. And that is a massive relief, because now we know that the engine and gearbox fit, we can start planning things like the suspension, the steering, the exhaust, and everything else we need to make this F1 car function and drive, so we can absolutely thrash it on a track,” Lake stated.
Following the successful installation test, the team will turn its attention to fabricating the vehicle’s suspension geometry, steering linkage, and custom exhaust system before conducting on-track testing.
