📷 Mercedes
Mercedes is one of the biggest names in Formula 1, known for building powerful engines. But as the sport prepares for new engine rules in 2026, Mercedes has some worries. These new rules will change how engines work, and Mercedes is facing challenges to make sure their engine is ready.
What Are the 2026 Rules?
Starting in 2026, Formula 1 engines will be different. They will still use a 1.6-liter V6 engine, but the rules focus on making cars more eco-friendly. The engines will run on sustainable fuels, and half of the power will come from electricity, not just fuel. This means the electric part of the engine, like the battery, will be much more important. The rules also remove some parts, like the MGU-H, which helps generate extra power, and limit things like fuel flow and boost pressure.
These changes are a big deal because they make the engines work differently. Mercedes, along with other teams, has to redesign their engine almost from scratch.
📷 Motorsport
Why Is Mercedes Worried?
Mercedes is confident in their engine-building skills. They dominated F1 from 2014 to 2021 because of their amazing engines. But the 2026 rules are tricky, and here are some of their concerns:
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Energy Problems: Tests on simulators show that the new engine might run out of electric power in the middle of long straights, like at the Monza track in Italy. This could slow the car down during races, which is a big issue for performance.
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New Design Challenges: The new rules mean Mercedes can’t reuse parts from their current engine. They have to start fresh, which is risky. Some early decisions they made about the engine design didn’t work out, and now they’re fixing those mistakes. This takes time and effort.
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Chassis and Engine Mismatch: The engine and the car’s body (chassis) need to work together perfectly. But Mercedes started designing their engine before the chassis rules were clear. Now, teams are asking for changes to the engine to fit the new car designs, which is causing headaches.
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Money Limits: There’s a budget cap for engine development, set at $95 million from 2023 to 2025 and $130 million from 2026 onward. Mercedes can’t spend extra to solve problems quickly, so they have to be smart with their money.
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Pressure to Stay on Top: Everyone expects Mercedes to lead because of their past success. Other teams, like Red Bull and Ferrari, are watching closely. Mercedes wants to stay ahead, but the new rules make it harder to predict who will have the best engine.
What Is Mercedes Doing About It?
Mercedes is working hard to fix these issues. They’re testing their engine in their factory in Brixworth, UK, and making changes based on what they learn. Their engine boss, Hywel Thomas, says they’re learning from mistakes and improving the engine every day. They’re also talking with the car design teams to make sure the engine and chassis work well together.
Mercedes is also pushing to keep the 2026 rules as they are. Some people want to change or delay the rules, but Mercedes says that would cause big problems, especially for teams like McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, who rely on Mercedes engines. They’ve already spent a lot of time and money preparing for 2026.