Mercedes-Benz will continue to power Williams Racing until at least 2030, the Grove-based F1 team and the Brixworth-based engine manufacturer have confirmed today.
Williams Racing have announced that Mercedes-Benz will be the Power Unit supplier for the team from the 2026 Formula One season onwards.
The announcement follows the extension of the partnership between McLaren and Mercedes, and it sees Williams become the brand’s second customer team confirmed for the next generation of power unit regulations that will be introduced in 2026.
Williams have been powered by Mercedes-Benz since the start of the V6 hybrid era in 2014 and a fresh extension will see the partnership continue into the new era of engine regulations beginning in 2026.
The future power units will exclusively use 100% sustainable fuel, adhering to stringent sustainability standards and reducing overall fuel consumption. The power unit’s electrical systems will be upgraded to achieve higher performance, and will feature a single 350 kW electric motor, almost three times more powerful than the current MGU-K. The development of the new power units will also be required to adhere to cost cap regulations.
We are delighted to continue our partnership with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of Formula 1 from the 2026 season onwards 🤝
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) January 8, 2024
Commenting on the announcement, Williams Team Principal James Vowles said: “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.”
Speaking about the contract extension, Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, added: “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.”
