Toto Wolff hints at major Mercedes F1 change

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that the Silver Arrows will axe at least one customer outfit after 2030.

McLaren, Williams and Alpine all have contracts with Mercedes to receive engines until at least the end of the 2030 season, although the German manufacturer is already looking into scaling back its production.

Eight of the 22 cars on the grid next season will be powered by Mercedes, with the company being the most represented engine supplier on the grid.

However, with next year's introduction of the new power unit regulations, Wolff and Mercedes chairman Ola Källenius have discussed the number of customer teams.

"Our current mindset is, also discussing with Ola, that we will reduce the amount of teams we’re going to supply in the next cycle,” Wolff said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

Wolff explained that the ideal number of Mercedes-powered teams would be "between two and three, I guess."

He added: "It depends on the new regulations going forward. Are they rather simple or not? What is it we believe we can learn by supplying more teams, whilst at the same time needing to lock in some designs earlier?"

Due to Mercedes powering four teams, it will need to transport 16 brand-new power units to the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Compared to Honda, who only have Aston Martin to power, it is a staggering quantity of engines to produce — something Mercedes wants to change.

"If you’re Honda on your own, [it will be] four or five," added Wolff, discussing the number of engines being sent to Australia. "So that means longer lead times, longer production cycles.

"So, considering all of that, going forward, it’s not going to be four anymore."