Williams announce engine partner for new regulation era

Williams has announced that it will be continuing with Mercedes-Benz as their Power Unit supplier from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards.

The decision to extend their partnership runs from the new technical regulation era set to be introduced in 2026, and builds on their existing relationship which began at the start of the 1.6 litre V6 hybrid era in 2014.

The next set of regulations will be introduced in 2026, which will see F1 power units use 100% sustainable fuel, and upgraded electrical systems designed to achieve higher performance.

The single 350kW electric motor will be almost three times more powerful than the current MGU-K. Development of the new power unit has been underway since mid-2022 at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth.

Mercedes is one of five other OEMs to have committed to 2026 alongside Ferrari, Alpine, Audi, Honda and a partnership between Red Bull and Ford.

Since becoming a Mercedes customer team, Williams has taken 16 podium finishes in F1. The team finished third in the World Constructors' Championship in 2014 and 2015 and enjoyed its most successful season since 2017 by finishing seventh overall in the 2023 standings.