Williams has confirmed that Mercedes-Benz continues to be its power unit provider for Formula 1 seasons beginning in 2026. The current arrangement guarantees the continuation of this relationship, which began in 2014 at the beginning of the turbo-hybrid era, through the forthcoming changes to technical regulations in 2026.
There has been a concerted attempt by manufacturers to strengthen their relationships as teams get ready for the 2026 engine regulation change. After reiterating their commitment to McLaren at the end of last year, Mercedes has confirmed that Williams will remain an integral part of their group.
Anticipating the forthcoming changes, Formula 1's future power units are set to exclusively utilize 100% sustainable fuel, thereby diminishing overall consumption. At the same time, improvements to the electrical systems are being developed to attain higher levels of performance.
F1: The 2026 Regulation Changes
In Brixworth, UK, Mercedes-AMG High-Performance Powertrains has been diligently developing new power unit for the 2026 season since mid-2022. These state-of-the-art power units are meticulously crafted to run exclusively on 100% sustainable fuel, aligning with stringent sustainability standards in both production and formulation. Notably, the forthcoming transition is expected to yield a substantial reduction in overall fuel consumption.
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The integrated electrical systems within the power unit have undergone a significant upgrade, elevating their performance capabilities. A standout enhancement is the incorporation of a single 350 kW electric motor, a notable leap in power, nearly three times more potent than the existing MGU-K. Consequently, Formula 1 power unit manufacturers are now tasked with developing an advanced, high-performance battery system to complement the upgraded electric motor.
James Vowles, Team Principal at Williams: "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."
Toto Wolff said: "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."
As Williams begin their rebuilding process, which is expected to take at least a decade, it is prudent for the team to maintain a reliable engine partner. This will allow them to concentrate on other aspects of the operation that need improvement.
With the new regulations, customer teams have a lot of supplier options; for example, Audi will join in 2026, Honda will return as a full works supplier, and Ford will pair up with Red Bull Power Trains. But Williams has decided to stick with what they know instead of trying something new.
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Williams Team Principal James Vowles has an extensive understanding of the work done by Mercedes HPP at Brixworth to produce a power unit that dominated the first seven years of the hybrid turbo era, thanks to his more than ten years of experience at Mercedes.
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