Damon Hill gives telling seven-word response as Mercedes get long-term F1 boost

09 January 2024 , 16:37

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Williams will continue to use Mercedes-supplied engines from 2026 (Image: Getty Images)

Damon Hill was not at all surprised to learn Williams have extended their engine partnership with Mercedes.

Williams have spent the last decade racing with power units supplied by the German manufacturer. And that will continue when new engine rules come into force from the 2026 season.

After considering their options, Williams have chosen to stick with what they know. And that decision has been endorsed by their former driver Hill, as the 1996 world champion wrote on social media: "Didn't require much thinking, I'd have thought."

Williams began working with Mercedes from 2014, at the start of what has become known as the turbo-hybrid era. And it was a decision which worked out for them in the short-term, with the German manufacturer's superior engines powering the team up the grid.

The Grove-based squad has rarely set the F1 world alight in recent years and has been a backmarker team for much of the recent past. But still the relationship is strong - boosted further early last year when James Vowles joined from Mercedes as team principal.

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"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," said Vowles. "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."

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport chief Toto Wolff added: "We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team that we will supply for the 2026 power unit regulations. 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."

Mercedes will be particularly pleased to have kept hold of another client. McLaren have also signed up to continue as their customer from 2026, though Aston Martin have instead opted to leave and link up with Honda when the new regulations come into force.

Daniel Moxon