Mercedes downplays 2026 power‑unit favourite tag
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and HPP chief Hywel Thomas warn against hype that their unit is the 2026 benchmark, stressing development uncertainty and the need to prove performance in pre‑season tests.
Rumours across the paddock have anointed Mercedes’ High‑Performance Powertrains (HPP) as the power‑unit to beat for 2026, the first season under the new 50/50 hybrid regulations. Toto Wolff and HPP managing director Hywel Thomas, however, caution that the tag is premature and that real proof will come only after the three pre‑season tests.
Why it matters:
If Mercedes secures an early power‑unit advantage, the competitive balance among the five manufacturers – currently feeding McLaren, Williams, Alpine and the factory team – could be set for a season of unequal performance, shaping the championship before the first lap.
The details:
- Rumour mill: Paddock chatter tags Mercedes HPP as the 2026 benchmark.
- Regulation shift: 1.6‑L V6 hybrid runs 50 % ICE, 50 % electric with active aero to keep lap‑time gains.
- Supply chain: Mercedes will power its own team plus McLaren, Williams and Alpine.
- Wolff’s tone: “We are glass‑half‑empty people, never half‑full,” he warned against complacency.
- Thomas on readiness: Off‑season never feels complete; Barcelona and Bahrain tests are crucial to sort kinks.
- Performance levers: Crank power, electrical efficiency and their integration drive race pace.
What’s next:
The three closed‑door tests – Barcelona in late January followed by two in Bahrain – will be the first real data point for all five power‑unit makers. Mercedes hopes the sessions will confirm its power and reliability targets; if the unit falls short, competitors could close the gap quickly, keeping the championship fight wide open.