Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has admitted “we don’t know where are” with 2026 Formula 1 engine development.
2026 will see the introduction of new power unit (PU) regulations in F1.
Sustainable fuels will be implemented, the MGU-H will be scrapped and there will be an approximate 50/50 power split between electric and internal combustion.
Mercedes is hotly tipped to be a PU front-runner in 2026, as it was when the hybrid era of F1 began in 2014.
Still, without knowing what other teams are up to, Wolff is coy about Mercedes’ prospects.
“Certain expectations we’re meeting, that’s good,” Wolff told select media including Motorsport Week.
“Others, we’re still pushing to achieve our targets. It’s not trivial.
“But then the question is, have you set your expectations in the right way? So the answer is, we don’t know where we are.”
Who is powering who in 2026?
Mercedes will continue to supply four teams with engines during the next rules cycle including its works entry, McLaren and Williams.
Aston Martin will no longer be a customer of the German marque with the Silverstone squad poised to become the sole Honda-powered works entry in 2026.
Mercedes is filling the void left by Aston Martin by bringing Alpine into its customer engine stable for 2026 and beyond.
Ferrari will continue its relationship with Haas and has added 2026’s new entry Cadillac to its engine customer portfolio, with Sauber transforming into the factory Audi effort with a brand new PU developed in Neuburg, Germany.
Finally, Red Bull’s recently formed powertrains division will propel the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s cars from 2026 onwards along with sister team Racing Bulls.
Russell optimistic about Mercedes PU progress
Ahead of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, Russell was far more confident in the Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) division’s progress compared to the coy Wolff.
Russell drew on Mercedes’ experience in 2014, Formula E and the AMG ONE hypercar as key contributors to 2026 success.
“Yeah I mean ordinarily 2026 seems like a long time away but in the world of Formula 1 it’s going to be here tomorrow and the team are feeling really confident for this era,” Russell said.
“I think you know the experience of the team have had, the success in 2014 with the new powertrain, and then obviously the time in Formula E, the work that was done with the Hypercar
“There are a lot of individuals within HPP who have got so much experience with this future technology.
“So I think that leaves us in a really great place to have a great engine. And the work Petronas are doing on the fuel as well is looking really strong.
“So on the engine side, I think we’re feeling very confident for that era.”
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