George Russell is confident the Mercedes Formula 1 team is “in a really great place” with its 2026 power unit ahead of the new regulations coming into play.
F1’s hybrid PUs will largely be retained in their current guise in 2026, but a couple of changes present an opportunity for engineers to outgun their rivals.
The MGU-H system has been scrapped, 100% sustainable fuels will be introduced and the power split between the 1.6-litre turbo V6 internal combustion engine and electric component will be close to 50/50.
Russell believes Mercedes’ experience and progress could see it emerge with a class-leading PU in 2026.
“Yeah I mean ordinarily 2026 seems like a long time away but in the world of Formula 1 it’s going to be here tomorrow and the team are feeling really confident for this era,” Russell told media in Monaco on Thursday.
“I think you know the experience of the team have had, the success in 2014 with the new powertrain, and then obviously the time in Formula E, the work that was done with the Hypercar.
“There are a lot of individuals within HPP who have got so much experience with this future technology.
“So I think that leaves us in a really great place to have a great engine. And the work Petronas are doing on the fuel as well is looking really strong.
“So on the engine side, I think we’re feeling very confident for that era.”
Mercedes had a distinct PU advantage in 2014 when hybrids were first introduced.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in Imola, Technical Director James Allison feels there’s a chance for Mercedes to repeat that powertrain dominance in two years time.
“I wasn’t in the team in the run-up to 2014 when the new generation of power units were being concocted and the enormous push to make them a reality was taking place,” said Allison.
“But those of us in the team who were, tell me that the feeling is very similar.
“There is a massive shove going on in HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] to make a success of that because it will set the course of anyone who’s lucky enough to have that in the back of their car for some seasons to come.
“We’re lucky that we will be on the receiving end of all the good investment they are making on our joint behalf.”
With people predicting 2026 will be an engine-dominated formula, Mercedes would benefit massively if its confidence is rewarded, given it has struggled to perform amid the current ground effect-dominated rule cycle.
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