News Summary
- Mercedes has changed its original plans and is preparing a power-unit upgrade for the final part of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
- The new package could debut during the triple-header featuring the Azerbaijan, Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix, although no specific race has been confirmed.
- Any performance gains will also be available to Mercedes-powered customer teams Alpine and Williams under F1’s regulations governing power-unit upgrades.
Mercedes has changed the plans it established at the start of the season and is preparing an engine upgrade for the final stretch of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. The new package is expected to be introduced during the triple-header featuring the Azerbaijan, Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix, although no debut date has been confirmed.
At the beginning of the championship, Mercedes said it would use the additional test-bench hours and development budget made available through ADUO but did not intend to make hardware changes to its power unit. However, according to British website The Race, the manufacturer’s engine division in Brixworth is now preparing an upgrade before the end of the season.
It remains unclear at which of the upcoming rounds the package will be introduced, but the current expectation is that its debut could come at some point during the sequence of Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore.
The timing could also coincide with a potential need for George Russell. The British driver is not expected to be able to complete the season with his current power-unit configuration and could face a grid penalty if he needs to install additional components beyond the allocation permitted by the regulations.
Mercedes’ approach at the Italian GP also attracted attention, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli did not receive a completely new power unit. The changes were limited to the internal combustion engine, battery and control electronics.
According to The Race, the decision raised speculation that Mercedes could be delaying the installation of a complete package of components until a more convenient point in the season. This would give the manufacturer greater freedom to combine the replacement of parts with the introduction of the new specification.
The upgrade will also have implications for Mercedes’ customer teams. Under the F1 regulations, when a manufacturer introduces a new power-unit specification, it must make the development available to the teams using its engines.
At the first race in which the upgrade is used, the manufacturer must provide at least one version of the modification to each customer team. As a result, any performance gain achieved by Mercedes could also reach Alpine and Williams.
The potential upgrade comes as Mercedes continues to lead the 2026 championship battle, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell occupying the top two positions in the Drivers’ standings after the Italian GP. The team’s decision to invest its remaining development allowance could therefore become significant in the closing rounds of the season.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, September 11-13, with the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid street circuit. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the 14th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
What is Mercedes changing in its 2026 F1 power unit?
Mercedes is preparing a new power-unit development package under ADUO, reversing its original plan not to make hardware changes during the season.
When could Mercedes introduce its new F1 engine upgrade?
The upgrade could debut during the triple-header featuring the Azerbaijan, Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix. Mercedes has not yet confirmed a specific race for its introduction.
Will Alpine and Williams receive Mercedes’ new F1 engine upgrade?
Yes. Under F1’s power-unit regulations, Mercedes must make the new specification available to its customer teams when it introduces the upgrade, meaning Alpine and Williams could also benefit from any performance gains.
