Toto Wolff signals Mercedes will reduce customer F1 teams post-2030

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has indicated the manufacturer plans to scale back its supply of power units to customer teams after the 2030 season, aiming to reduce its current four-team roster to a more manageable two or three. This strategic shift is driven by the logistical and developmental challenges of supporting multiple teams under the new 2026 power unit regulations.

Why it matters:

Mercedes is the most prolific engine supplier on the current grid, powering its own works team plus McLaren, Williams, and Aston Martin. Reducing its customer commitments would represent a significant realignment of resources, allowing the company to focus more intensely on its own competitive performance and the complexities of the next-generation power units. This move could also reshape the technical partnerships within the midfield, forcing some teams to seek new engine suppliers.

The details:

• Wolff stated the decision was made in discussions with Mercedes Chairman Ola Källenius, with a mindset to "reduce the amount of teams we’re going to supply in the next cycle."
• He identified the ideal number of customer teams as "between two and three," a reduction from the current four.
• The 2026 regulatory overhaul is a key factor, influencing design lock-in timelines and the balance between learning from multiple data sources and managing production complexity.
• Logistical burden is a major concern; for the 2026 season opener in Australia, Mercedes would need to transport 16 new power units, compared to a supplier like Honda (powering only Aston Martin) needing just four or five.

What's next:

All current customer contracts with McLaren, Williams, and Aston Martin run through at least the end of 2030, so any reduction would not take effect until the 2031 season. The final decision will hinge on the finalized 2026 technical regulations and Mercedes' internal assessment of the optimal balance between commercial supply, competitive intelligence, and operational efficiency. This announcement puts other customer teams on notice to evaluate their long-term power unit strategies.