Follow us on Google Discover With the 2026 F1 regulations steadily approaching, Williams’ James Vowles and Carlos Sainz have addressed the ‘talk in the paddock’ regarding the performance of Mercedes’ brand new power unit.
F1’s new 2026 regulations have seen teams scramble to start work on their new F1 challenger, with all 11 teams eyeing the new ruleset as a chance to start over and make a challenge for a Formula 1 title.
Mercedes are tipped to have the best power unit at the moment, due to their past feat with the 2014 regulation change that saw the Silver Arrows turn into a dominant force on the grid powered by turbo-hybrid engines.
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Staff at Mercedes are trying to downplay the idea that they will emerge at the top of the pecking order again in 2026, something that George Russell has also attempted to do during the current campaign.
However, Carlos Sainz’s optimism for the new Mercedes engine, as a driver for a customer team to the German constructor, is a little bit more telling.
Carlos Sainz reveals everything he has heard about Mercedes’ 2026 F1 engine has been ‘positive’
Sainz has been helping Mercedes with the development of their new engine in hopes of giving himself the best chance of returning to the cockpit in 2026 with a competitive car underneath him.
Speaking in an interview on El Partidazo de COPE, the Spaniard openly shared his enthusiasm over the new power unit, whilst also identifying the issues that will come with it.
Asked if he believes in the rumours about the engine that are currently circulating the paddock, the 31-year-old replied, “Yes, I have a lot of confidence in the Mercedes engine.
“It’s actually one of the main reasons I chose Williams for this new regulation change. I knew we’d be running the Mercedes power unit, and everything I’ve heard about it has been positive, and still is.
“But of course, we can’t forget that Mercedes will have the Mercedes engine, McLaren will have it, Alpine will have it, and so will Williams. That’s already four teams, eight cars, with the same engine, and two of those teams, especially McLaren, are superior right now.
“So, no matter how good the engine is, you still need to get everything right with the chassis. And of course, Aston Martin with Honda will be competitive, and Ferrari will always be there. Ferrari are always in the fight.”
Alpine are the newest F1 team to become a customer of Mercedes for the upcoming season, after parent company Renault called it quits on the development of their own engines.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is wary of the threat that comes with Alpine using their power units, which may add another rival to their eyeline if they do emerge as the dominant power unit suppliers.
READ MORE: Oliver Oakes explains crucial reason why Alpine chose Mercedes power units over other F1 options
James Vowles plays down the ‘talk in the paddock’ about Mercedes’ 2026 F1 engine being superior
Williams team boss James Vowles was also asked about the credibility of the rumours surrounding the performance of Mercedes’ 2026 F1 engines on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
In contrast to Sainz’s verdict, the British engineer was a lot more tight-lipped, saying, “It’s an interesting talk in the paddock because no one knows. That’s just the facts behind it.
“It’s not like all the [power unit] manufacturers come together with some cards, top trumps, and go, OK, I’m here on power, I’m here on electrical, I’m here on weight, I’m here on cooling efficiency.
“Mercedes have always done well with regulation changes, because they get ahead of the curve, they forward invest ahead of the curve. There’s no doubt about that. But the reality behind it is we don’t know what Ferrari have got, or what Honda have got.
“It’s just a complete unknown at this point in time. So, I’m really pleased with the work that we say these have done with the preparation and their development, but until the lights go out in Australia, no one knows.”
Before the lights go out in Australia, the grid will take part in a private test in Barcelona at the end of January, before two more tests take place at the Sakhir International Circuit in February.