Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
Mercedes delays upgraded F1 engine until at least the Brazilian Grand Prix
Mercedes has delayed its planned 2026 Formula 1 engine upgrade because the new power unit is not ready.
The upgrade was originally planned for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, but it is now expected no earlier than the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Under F1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, Mercedes qualified for an engine upgrade because its power unit was more than 2% behind Red Bull’s benchmark.
George Russell will face another grid penalty whenever he uses the upgraded engine, after an earlier engine failure already led to a penalty in Singapore.
Mercedes wants to wait until it is sure the upgrade is a real improvement, and any gains could also help with its 2027 car.
Both Mercedes cars will get the chassis upgrade in Austin, after the team tested it on only one car in Singapore.
Mercedes has delayed the debut of its upgraded Formula 1 engine because the power unit is not ready.
The upgrade was initially planned for the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
The Race understands the engine will not be ready for the Mexican Grand Prix either, making the Brazilian Grand Prix the likely earliest debut.
Mercedes will introduce the engine only when it is convinced the upgrade is a proper step forward.
Any progress with the engine could help Mercedes prepare for 2027.
- Who
- Mercedes.
- What
- The team has delayed the debut of its upgraded Formula 1 engine.
- When
- The upgrade was initially planned for the United States Grand Prix; the Brazilian Grand Prix is now the likely earliest debut.
- Where
- Austin, United States, was the planned debut location. The likely earliest debut is at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
- Why
- The upgraded power unit is not ready, and Mercedes wants to introduce it only when it is convinced it is a proper step forward.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mercedes pencilled in the upgraded engine’s introduction for the United States Grand Prix.
Mercedes pushed back the planned debut because the upgraded power unit was not ready.
The engine is also not expected to be ready for the Mexican Grand Prix.
The race, which concludes the latest triple-header, is the likely earliest date for the engine’s arrival.
- Engine benchmark
- Red Bull’s 2026 power unit
- ADUO eligibility
- Mercedes was deemed to be more than 2% behind the benchmark
- Planned debut
- United States Grand Prix in Austin
- Likely earliest debut
- Brazilian Grand Prix
- Driver penalty
- George Russell will take another grid penalty when he uses the ADUO Mercedes engine