Alex Albon has expressed that he hopes the Mercedes power unit under the newest Formula 1 regulations in 2026 will inspire the side to have an edge over its rivals.
As well as revised chassis rules, the engine formula is also undergoing a revamp with a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion and electric components.
Mercedes aced the previous wholesale overhaul to the powertrain regulations back in 2014 to construct a foundation that would see it claim eight consecutive titles.
The German outfit is rumoured to be making strong strides in developing its next-generation unit, which will come as good news to customers McLaren and Williams.
Williams capitalised on the sizeable advantage derived from having a Mercedes engine in 2014 to climb from ninth the previous season up to third with nine podiums.
With the Grove-based squad dropping back as rival manufacturers caught up, Albon harbours optimism that Mercedes can again be the pinnacle in that development.
“I think the engines will play a big part,” Albon said. “Maybe in 2026 we will fall back from a top team like Mercedes and have a bigger delta.
“I hope Mercedes has a strong engine and good battery efficiency.
“That could work in our favour in the Constructors’ comparison and make us relatively competitive with teams with other engines.”
Williams is making drastic changes behind the scenes as boss James Vowles strives to elevate the perennial underachievers back to the sharp end under his tenure.
Albon, who has penned a multi-term renewal, doesn’t think the team will be building towards that come 2026, but he has repeated how Mercedes could mitigate that.
Asked how well-prepared Williams was going into the new regulations, he replied: “I think we are still in a building phase and I don’t think we will be fully there in 2026.
“Every team is putting their words and efforts into making sure that 2026 is a fresh start for everyone, but I think it will take a little bit longer.
“But I hope that we can let the power unit carry us a little bit, and I remember a little bit of 2014 where the gap to the front places could be bigger.
“But that puts us in a good position and we can still build and develop and change parts of the team. And then we can make bigger steps up to 2027.”
However, the Anglo-Thai driver is adamant that he would rather Williams give up making a competitive leap next term to ensure it’s not on the backfoot at the reset.
“I would rather sacrifice 2025 for 2026,” he stressed. “And that’s partly because of the longer-term contracts, you’re not so focused on the short term.
“You don’t want short-term success if it’s going to cause you pain later on and as a team we need to think more about the future if we want to be at the top.
“If we want to be at the top we still have a lot to do and these are big changes that will take time.”
