Williams’ Alex Albon Hopes Mercedes’ Formula 1 Power Unit Will Provide Edge in 2026
Alex Albon has expressed his optimism that the Mercedes power unit, under the upcoming Formula 1 regulations in 2026, will give his team an advantage over its rivals. As part of the changes, the engine formula will undergo a significant revamp, featuring a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion and electric components. Mercedes dominated the previous wholesale overhaul to the powertrain regulations in 2014, laying the foundation for eight consecutive titles.
The German outfit is rumored to be making strong strides in developing its next-generation unit, which is expected to benefit its customers, McLaren and Williams. Albon recalls how Williams capitalized on the significant advantage of having a Mercedes engine in 2014, climbing from ninth to third in the constructors’ championship with nine podiums. With rival manufacturers catching up, Albon hopes Mercedes can regain its edge in engine development.
“I think the engines will play a big part,” Albon said. “Maybe in 2026, we will fall back from a top team like Mercedes and have a bigger delta. I hope Mercedes has a strong engine and good battery efficiency. That could work in our favor in the Constructors’ comparison and make us relatively competitive with teams with other engines.”
Under new boss James Vowles, Williams is undergoing drastic changes behind the scenes to elevate the team’s performance. Albon, who has penned a multi-term renewal, doesn’t expect the team to be fully prepared for the 2026 regulations but believes Mercedes’ power unit could mitigate the gap.
“I think we are still in a building phase, and I don’t think we will be fully there in 2026,” he said. “Every team is putting their words and efforts into making sure that 2026 is a fresh start for everyone, but I think it will take a little bit longer. But I hope that we can let the power unit carry us a little bit, and I remember a little bit of 2014 where the gap to the front places could be bigger.”
Albon emphasized that he would rather Williams sacrifice short-term success in 2025 to ensure it’s not on the backfoot at the 2026 reset.
“I would rather sacrifice 2025 for 2026,” he stressed. “And that’s partly because of the longer-term contracts, you’re not so focused on the short term. You don’t want short-term success if it’s going to cause you pain later on, and as a team, we need to think more about the future if we want to be at the top.”
With the Formula 1 regulations set to undergo significant changes, Albon believes Williams needs to prioritize long-term success over short-term gains. As the team continues to develop and adapt to the new power unit, Albon remains hopeful that Mercedes’ Formula 1 power unit will provide the edge Williams needs to be competitive in 2026 and beyond.
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