Could Williams and Mercedes separate with new F1 engine regulations looming?
The Grov🧔e-based oꦚutfit has been supplied power units by Mercedes since the start of the turbo hybrid era in 2014 but their contract will expire before F1’s next engine cycle begins.
Mercedes currently supplies three teams - Aston Martin, McLaren and Williams ꦬ- with power units but may have to part ways with one of their customers.
That is because the 2026 PU 🌊regulations state that a manufacturer can only supply three teams per season, including its own factory team, “unless agreed otherwise by the FIA”.
A final decision r⛄egarding Williams’ supply from 2026 is still pending and a breakaway from Mercedes has not been ruled out by new team boss Vowles.&nb🌺sp;
“We are still in the process of making sure we understand all the options available to the t🦋eam,” said Vowles.
“The rules contain some lines which state that theoreticall🌱y as taken in 2025 this is the number of teams a PU manufacturer can supply. Same rules, by the way, that should have limited [Mercedes] this year down to less PU supplies than they currently have.
“I think that's an ongoing discussion. But no, we're not locked into Mercedes. And we🅰're still in the process o▨f reviewing.
“But we have to, as all teams wil🐬l do as well, come to a decision fairﷺly shortly. I think end of the year would be late. So a little bit before then.”
What other options does Williams have?
After losing Alfa Romeo Saube♋r to Audi in 2026, Ferrari will🅺 have an available customer slot, while Renault currently only powers the Alpine works squad.
The afo🍬rementioned Audi would also be a potential option and so too would Red Bull Ford.
Meanwhile, Honda’s F1 future beyond its partnership with RBPT - which is due to con♛clude at the end of 2025 - is uncertain.
The Japanese manufacturer has 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:registered as one of six F1 power unit supplier▨s for 2026-2030 but cur⭕rently has no supply deal in place.
McLaren is said to have already held talks with Honda a꧑nd Williams would be another obv🗹ious candidate.
Vowles in🦂sisted his historical ties to Mercedes wou⛦ld not have any bearing on the decision Williams ultimately makes.
“As you would imagine,💦 it would be foolish to simply just go with where I'm comfortable and what I know,” the former Mercedes head of strategy said.
“If you're going to get your house painted, you get three quotes, I woulဣd highly recommend you do that if you don't. ꦡAnd it's the same here, I want to make sure I understand what's available to us."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahb𓆏x.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter i✱n the sport.
