Williams chief Vowles questions Mercedes 2026 power unit 'narrative'
Williams F1 boss James Vowles has challenged the growing narrative that Mercedes will have the dominant power unit in 2026, suggesting a rival created the story to lobby for regulation changes. He asserts no manufacturer knows their true competitive level yet and expects a more level playing field than in 2014.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles has dismissed paddock speculation that Mercedes will dominate the 2026 power unit regulations, suggesting the narrative was created by a rival to influence late rule changes. He emphasized that no manufacturer truly knows their competitive standing yet, casting doubt on a repeat of Mercedes' 2014 turbo-hybrid era supremacy.
Why it matters:
The 2026 power unit regulations represent F1's biggest technical shift in over a decade. Early narratives about a single manufacturer's advantage can significantly influence development focus, resource allocation, and even regulatory adjustments before the rules are finalized. Vowles' comments highlight the high-stakes political and technical gamesmanship already underway.
The details:
- Vowles directly attributed the Mercedes-favoring speculation to "one team and PU manufacturer trying to create a narrative to get some changes."
- He expressed strong confidence in Ferrari's and Honda's abilities, noting Honda's current "benchmark engine" and Ferrari's consistent performance.
- While acknowledging Mercedes' "good preparation," Vowles firmly stated, "No one knows, no one of any engine manufacturer knows where they're going to fall out."
- He downplayed the likelihood of a 2014-style runaway advantage, suggesting the field will be more competitive.
What's next:
For Williams, the immediate focus remains on incremental progress. Vowles set a "sensible goal" of stepping forward year-on-year, with a top-three finish considered "aspirational" for 2025. The team will continue its technical partnership with Mercedes, which began formal 2026 collaboration in early 2024. The true picture of the 2026 power unit hierarchy will only emerge as testing begins, with all manufacturers working in a shroud of secrecy until then.