James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, has high praise for Mercedes’ work on the new engine for 2026. Formula 1 is on the brink of a significant change in engine regulations; from 2026, teams will rely even more on hybrid power. Vowles believes that Mercedes may have gained an edge with this new technology.
“I think Mercedes has done exceptional work, and that’s why I was very pleased to extend our partnership,” said James Vowles on the Beyond the Grid podcast. Williams’ cars have been equipped with Mercedes engines since the beginning of the hybrid era.
“I think you’re going to see differences in power units in 2026 that aren’t there today,” he continued. “Today, almost all engines are similar, but that will change in 2026,” predicts the Williams team principal. Vowles emphasized that he does not expect such large differences as in 2014, with the introduction of hybrid technology. However, the new rules will cause a noticeable shift.
According to Vowles, Mercedes has managed to stay ahead of the competition by investing in the right technology at the right time. “In a nutshell, the technology is of course the same,” he referred to the new engines. “But it’s really about a complete redesign – the ratios between the electric side and the internal combustion engine are completely different. Mercedes was very smart to invest in these new areas in time.”
