Mercedes Continues as Power Unit Supplier for Williams F1 Team Beyond 2026

Mercedes has reaffirmed its role as the Power Unit supplier for Williams F1 team beyond the 2026 season, signaling a strong continuation of their partnership. This development aligns with the new technical regulations set to commence in 2026, solidifying a collaboration that dates back to the hybrid era of 2014.

Key Takeaways:

• Strengthened Partnership: Team Principal James Vowles of Williams welcomed the extension of their partnership with Mercedes, which began in 2014. He emphasized the alliance’s importance in achieving the team’s future goals, especially with the upcoming technical changes in Formula 1.
• Innovation in Power Units: The next generation of power units will adhere to new sustainability standards, including the use of 100% sustainable fuel. They will feature a 350 kW electric motor, a significant upgrade from the current MGU-K, in line with F1’s cost cap rules.
• Strategic Enhancement: Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes, highlighted the agreement’s alignment with their motorsport strategy. He expressed confidence in the growing partnership, supporting Williams’ ambition to climb the competitive ladder in F1.

The announcement of Mercedes continuing as the Power Unit supplier for Williams beyond the 2026 season marks a significant milestone in Formula 1’s evolution. This decision comes at a pivotal time as the sport prepares for a new era of technical regulations. James Vowles, Williams Team Principal, expressed his enthusiasm in a recent press release:

“We have enjoyed a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz, and we are thrilled to extend this collaboration into the next era of Formula 1. The expertise, support, and technology that Mercedes brings to the table align perfectly with our team’s aspirations in the medium and long term. This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our objectives for the future, whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing expertise and capabilities in-house.”

The shift towards sustainable power units is a crucial component of this development. These new units are designed to meet stringent environmental standards, significantly reducing fuel consumption and increasing the sport’s commitment to sustainability.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes CEO, also shared his thoughts on the extended partnership:

“We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team that we will supply for the 2026 power unit regulations. Today’s news highlights the strength of the Mercedes-Benz offering in F1 and importantly not only validates, but reinforces, our overall motorsport strategy. Since 2014, we have continued to build and develop our relationship with Williams. As the team continues to put the foundations in place to challenge at the front of the grid, we look forward to supporting them with our power unit supply.”

This ongoing collaboration between Mercedes and Williams is more than just a technical partnership; it’s a strategic alliance that aims to elevate the performance and competitiveness of both parties in the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1 racing.