© Mercedes-Benz Group AG
The fact that McLaren and Williams will continue using Mercedes engines under new 2026 power unit regulations, until at least 2030, shows there is great confidence in the manufacturer’s ability to return to the top of Formula 1.
Williams, McLaren and Mercedes have recently announced they will continue their power unit and technical partnership well into the new 2026 regulations era, until at least 2030.
Taking into account Mercedes’ recent drop in form, many have began questioning the manufacturer’s ability to produce a competitive power unit, with rumours swirling around that some of their customer teams are considering other options.
This, however, turned out to be false, as both Williams and McLaren recently signed new deals which will guarantee that they will run on Mercedes power until at least 2030.
The only customer team that has opted not to sign is Aston Martin, but only because they negotiated a works deal with Honda from 2026.
The fact that both Williams and McLaren have decided to sign new long-term deals with Mercedes shows that they have great confidence in the manufacturer, even in F1’s new regulations era.
“Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team,” said McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown when the deal was announced.
“The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead,” he concluded.
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McLaren’s Team Principal Andrea Stella echoed the feelings.
“We are pleased to confirm a long-term renewal of our power unit deal with Mercedes-Benz into the new era of regulations,” Stella said.
“We have great confidence in Mercedes and our relationship with them,” he concluded.
Williams’ Team Principal James Vowles also expressed confidence in the partnership.
“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 said.
“The expertise, support, and technology that Mercedes brings to the table align perfectly with our team’s aspirations in the medium and long term,” he concluded.
When the McLaren deal was announced, Mercedes team boss and Head of Mercedes Motorsport Toto Wolff was pleased with what it means for his team.
“It has been a cornerstone of our motorsport strategy to work with strong customer teams,” the Austrian said.
“This has many advantages: it gives a clear competitive benchmark, accelerates our technical learning, and strengthens the overall F1 business case for Mercedes-Benz.
“McLaren have been fierce and fair competitors since 2021, especially in the second half of this season.
“McLaren’s strong performances underline the importance of transparent and equal supply to all customer teams in the sport, if we wish to achieve the goal of ten teams capable of fighting for podium finishes,” he concluded.
Toto was also pleased when the deal with Williams was announced to the public.
“We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team that we will supply for the 2026 power unit regulations,” he said.
“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,” Toto concluded.
Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer also praised the deal with McLaren.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with McLaren Racing to at least the end of this decade,” Schaefer said.
“The long-term nature of this agreement reflects our shared trust and commitment to our future power unit strategy.
“Together, we look forward to building momentum towards 2026 and the beginning of another new era of an electrified innovative power unit design in Formula One,” he concluded.
When the Williams deal was announced, Schaefer again highlighted the fact that the continuation of the partnership show confidence in Mercedes’ power unit strategy.
“It is fantastic to extend our partnership with Williams Racing until 2030,” he said.
“We have enjoyed a strong relationship with them since the introduction of the current power unit regulations and look forward to continuing that into this next era. Their commitment and support to our future power unit strategy is highly valued.
“We look forward to approaching this new rules set together, with the same passion and enthusiasm we did in 2014 and with the aim of achieving similar successes,” Schaefer concluded.
