Mercedes fires up 2026 F1 power unit, releases first sound of new era

Mercedes has become the second Formula 1 power unit manufacturer, following Honda, to fire up and release the sound of its new engine developed for the 2026 regulations. This early milestone fuels speculation that the German manufacturer could again secure a decisive technical advantage as the sport enters a new era of chassis and power unit rules.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season marks the first major overhaul of the power unit regulations since 2014. Last time, Mercedes' dominance with its revolutionary V6 turbo-hybrid unit set the stage for an unprecedented eight consecutive constructors' championships. An early and successful power unit reveal suggests Mercedes is on a similar path to potentially lead the next regulatory cycle, which would significantly impact the competitive order for its works team and customer squads.

The details:

• Mercedes will supply its 2026 power unit to its own works team, McLaren, and Williams, maintaining its strong customer network.
• Alpine has opted to become a Mercedes customer team for 2026, forgoing its works status with Renault.
• This shift means Aston Martin will replace Alpine as a works partner, having entered a new deal with Honda for the 2026 season.
• The early firing of the engine is a key technical milestone, allowing teams to begin mapping performance and reliability long before the cars hit the track.

The big picture:

The sound of a new power unit is more than just an acoustic teaser; it's the first tangible signal of a manufacturer's progress in a high-stakes development race. With stable regulations since 2014, the 2026 reset offers the clearest opportunity in over a decade for teams to make a conceptual leap. Mercedes' history of nailing regulatory changes puts immense pressure on rivals like Ferrari and Red Bull Ford to match its development pace, as an early power unit deficit can define an entire era.

What's next:

All eyes will now turn to the remaining power unit manufacturers—Ferrari, Red Bull Ford Powertrains, and Renault—to see when they reach similar milestones. The coming months will be critical for on-dyno development before teams shift focus to integrating the new power units with the radically different 2026 chassis. The first true test of performance will come during pre-season testing in early 2026, but the foundation for success or failure is being built right now in factories in Brixworth, Maranello, and Milton Keynes.