Williams Racing and Mercedez-Benz have extended their power unit agreement from 2026 when the FIA next-gen hybrid powertrain regulations come into effect, the British team announced on Monday.
German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and Williams have agreed to extend their strategic power unit partnership from 2026 onwards, the Groove outfit revealed on Monday.
James Vowles, Williams Racing Team Principal, outlined: “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.”
Vowles, Mercedes AMG-F1 Team former Motorsport Strategy Director, joined Wiliams as team boss early last season, bringing a successful 22-year career experience in Formula One in his bag.
Under his leadership, Williams finished the constructor’s championship in seventh place, scoring 28 points throughout 2023 at the hands of full-time drivers Alex Albon and rookie Logan Sargeant.
A disappointing campaign in 2022 saw the squad ending the year last in the overall standings with just 8 points.
“The expertise, support, and technology that Mercedes brings to the table align perfectly with our team’s aspirations in the medium and long term,” Vowles added.
“This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our objectives for the future, while we will still retain our design and manufacturing expertise and capabilities in-house.”
When Formula One entered the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, Mercedes joined forces with the legendary British outfit as its powertrain supplier.
From 2026, the pinnacle of motorsport will start a paramount new chapter, as the FIA will introduce the new power unit (PU) regulations, focused on greater electrification – featuring a single 350 kW electric motor – using 100 percent advanced sustainable synthetic fuel.
The series, committed to innovation and sustainability, aims to become a carbon-neutral racing, cost-efficient category by 2030.
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented: “We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team 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,…
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