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Mercedes to Cut F1 Engine Customers Amidst Performance Woes
11 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Mercedes plans to reduce its F1 engine customer teams for the 2026 season.
- This decision comes as Mercedes customer McLaren recently surpassed them.
- Alpine will join Mercedes as a customer team in 2026.
Mercedes, historically dominant in Formula 1 with its turbo-hybrid power units, is reportedly planning a significant strategic change for the 2026 season by reducing the number of customer teams it supplies. This move comes after a period where their customer team, McLaren, secured Constructors' titles, outperforming the works outfit in recent seasons.
Despite the advantage of being a works team, Mercedes faced challenges, prompting CEO Toto Wolff to suggest a reduction in engine supply. This announcement has sparked fan reactions on social media, with some questioning the decision, especially with Alpine joining as a new customer for 2026. Speculation arises about potential future engine supply dynamics within the grid.
Mercedes acknowledges the fierce competition ahead, particularly with their power unit facing strong rivals. Wolff emphasized that confidence is never guaranteed, highlighting the need to outperform their own customer teams. Rumors suggest that while Honda and Ferrari power units are competitive, Red Bull Ford and Audi are encountering development hurdles.
