Williams extends Mercedes PU deal through 2030

Williams will remain a Mercedes power unit customer until at least 2030 after signing a long-term supply deal extension.The partnership has been in place since the current 1.6-liter turbo hybrids were introduced in 2014, and will now include the new regulations that are coming into effect in 2026. Williams team principal James Vowles is the former Mercedes strategy director and says continuing with the current power unit supplier was based on the existing success of the relationship.“We have enjoyed a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz, and we are thrilled to extend this collaboration into the next era of Formula 1,” Vowles said. “The expertise, support and technology that Mercedes brings to the table align perfectly with our team’s aspirations in the medium- and long-term.“This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our objectives for the future, whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing expertise and capabilities in-house.”Vowles had previously suggested he’d be keen to work with General Motors in future if Andretti Global’s entry bid fails, but today’s announcement rules that out for the initial period of GM’s planned power unit program that is intended to begin in 2028.Mercedes has already signed an agreement to continue powering McLaren into the new set of regulations, and Toto Wolff says it is a positive sign that Mercedes’ power unit department has been trusted ahead of the coming changes. “We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team that we will supply for the 2026 power unit regulations,” Wolff said. “Today’s news highlights the strength of the Mercedes-Benz offering in F1 and importantly not only validates, but reinforces, our overall motorsport strategy.“Since 2014, we have continued to build and develop our relationship with Williams. As the team continues to put the foundations in place to challenge at the front of the grid, we look forward to supporting them with our power unit supply.”Williams started strongly when the current power units were introduced, finishing third in the constructors’ championship in 2014 and 2015, and Mercedes chief technology officer Markus Schaefer says the target will be to repeat that performance.“It is fantastic to extend our partnership with Williams Racing until 2030,” Schaefer said. “We have enjoyed a strong relationship with them since the introduction of the current power unit regulations and look forward to continuing that into this next era. Their commitment and support to our future power unit strategy is highly valued. We look forward to approaching this new rules set together, with the same passion and enthusiasm we did in 2014 and with the aim of achieving similar successes.”