Could Williams and Mercedes separate with new F1 engine regulations looming?
The Grove-based outfit ha🐓s 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 - with power u𒁃nits 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, incluꦅding its own factory team, “unless agreed otherwise by the FIA”.
A fin𓃲al decision regarding Williams’ supply from 2026 is still pending and a breakaway from Mercedes has not bee💛n ruled out by new team boss Vowles.
“We 🅷are still in the process of making sure we understand all the options available to the team,” said Vowles.
“The rules contain some lines which state that theoretically as ta𝓡ken 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 P⛎U supplies than they currently have.
“I think that's an ongoing discussion. But no, we're not locked into Mercedes. Aꦑnd we're still iꦆn the process of reviewing.
“But we have to, as all teams w𒉰ill do as well, come to a decision fairly shortly. I think end of the year woul🍸d be late. So a little bit before then.”
What other options does Williams have?
After losing Alfa R♐omeo Sauber to Audi in 2026, Ferrari will have an available customer slot, while Renault currently only po💜wers the Alpine works squad.
The aforementioned Audi would also be a pote꧙ntial option and so too would ﷺRed Bull Ford.
Meanwhile, Honda’s F1 future beyond its partnership w💎ith RBPT ﷺ- which is due to conclude at the end of 2025 - is uncertain.
The Japanese manufacturer has 168澳洲5🎉最新开奖结果:registered as one of six F1 powꦬer unit suppliers for 2026-2030 but currently has no supplyꩲ deal in place.
McLareꦬn is said to have already held talks with Honda and Williams would be another obvious candidate. 🌊;
Vowles insisted his histo🌟rical ties to Mercedes would 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 youꦕr house painted, you get three quotes, I would hiꦯghly recommend you do that if you don't. And it's the same here, I want to make sure I understand what's available to us."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for wuqian0821.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the 🎶people who matter in the sport.
