Mercedes technical director James Allison has revealed “the feeling is quite similar” within the team regarding preparations for F1’s next big engine overhaul in 2026 and the lead-up to the sport’s last major change in 2014 , when they began an era of unprecedented success.
With less than two years until the sport’s next major regulation change, when the electric power produced by existing V6 engines will be significantly increased in addition to increased sustainability measures, there is an increasing focus on team preparations for the great reset.
Mercedes have been repeatedly linked with Max Verstappen, who Toto Wolff says is their number one target to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton and is the driver. “everyone is waiting” on the marketamid suggestions the world champion could be enticed to change by the promise of his rival’s engine project despite Mercedes’ current struggles on track compared to Red Bull.
Red Bull is building its first F1 engine for 2026 in collaboration with Ford which has developed its start-up Powertrains division in recent years at its Milton Keynes base.
Talk to Aerial sports In a fascinating interview at the Emilia Romagna GP, Allison, who joined Mercedes in 2017 after the first three seasons of their record run of eight constructors’ championships in the hybrid era, was asked about the evolution of their group powertrain 2026.
“I wasn’t on the team heading into 2014, when the next generation of powertrains was being cooked up and the huge effort to make it a reality was underway,” Allison said , who was at Ferrari at the time.
Mercedes had one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history during the first year of hybrid engine rules in 2014.
“But those of us on the team who were, tell me the feeling is very similar.
“There is a huge effort underway in the HPPs (Mercedes High Performance Powertrains) to succeed, as this will set the course for everyone lucky enough to have this on the back of their car for a few seasons to come. “
“We are fortunate to benefit from all the good investments they are making on our joint behalf.”
In addition to the Mercedes factory team, McLaren and Williams will bring the German manufacturer’s powertrains into the new era of the sport.
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Max Verstappen insists he is ‘happy’ at Red Bull despite reports linking him with possible departure from team
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull lasts for four more seasons, but his future has been the subject of repeated speculation all season so far. Talk to Sky Sports F1 On Thursday in Imola, the three-time world champion said: “It’s like I say: I’m fine, I’m relaxed, I’m happy and my contract lasts until 2028.”
Wolff ‘can’t wait’ to see engine performance in 2026
Speaking after Sunday’s race at Imola, Wolff appeared to echo Allison’s confidence about Mercedes’ prospects in 2026.
In what appears to be a never-ending war of words between the two men, Wolff responded to comments from his Red Bull counterpart, Christian Horner, regarding the departure of a significant number of staff from Mercedes’ engine division to join the Milton Keynes team.
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Toto Wolff gives an overview of what was discussed at the team bosses’ dinner in Imola.
“We have as good an engine department as possible, with top management,” Wolff said.
“There’s not a millimeter at HPP that I would wish was different in terms of the organizational setup, in terms of the people who work there and who I get to interact with, it’s just a perfect organization.
“They just kept their promises and have done so for a long time. Since 2014 we’ve been pretty much the benchmark or, with maybe another engine, the benchmark, so that hasn’t changed.”
“I’m really looking forward to 2026 to see the different levels of powertrain performance.”
Could Allison work with Newey at Mercedes?
Like every other major F1 team, Mercedes has also been linked with a move from design genius Adrian Newey since news of the 65-year-old’s impending exit from Red Bull in early 2025 was confirmed earlier this month -this.
Ferrari is seen as Newey’s most likely next destination if he continues in F1, which the Englishman has done indicated he would probably do so after a break.
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Adrian Newey says ‘a brain is like a muscle and needs exercise’ and reveals why he could return to F1 after leaving Red Bull
But with all of Red Bull’s rivals inevitably monitoring the situation, Allison, who is himself one of F1’s most highly regarded and successful engineers, was asked if he could co-exist alongside Newey in the same hypothetical crew.
“That’s a pretty hypothetical question but I don’t see any reason why,” Allison replied.
“It would have to be reasonably clear about who was doing what, but I think any team that saw Adrian on the market as a pretty effective person would be asking the same question: how do you bring in a guy like that and get the most out of him »
After Imola, it’s time for the most famous F1 race of all: the Monaco Grand Prix. Watch every session of the famous Friday street circuit live on Sky Sports F1, with the Sunday race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription – No contracts, cancel anytime
