Mercedes-Benz will continue to power Williams Racing in the new Formula One power unit era.

The famous British Formula One team, Williams, becomes the brand’s second team confirmed for the next generation of power unit regulations that will be introduced in 2026, with McLaren having announced in November 2023.

Mercedes-AMG has powered the Grove-based outfit since 2014 and the start of the 1.6-litre V6 hybrid era.

The 2023 season marked the 10th season of partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Williams, and this relationship will span close to two decades by the 2030 season.

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said: “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.”

For over 45 years, Williams Racing has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, being one of the top three most successful teams in history competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships, in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault.

With an almost unrivalled heritage of engineering and racing F1 cars and unforgettable eras that demonstrate it is a force to be reckoned with, the British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name.

Its roll call of drivers is legendary, with its seven Drivers’ Championship trophies being lifted by true icons of the sport: Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.

Williams became a Mercedes customer team at the start of the current turbo hybrid era and has since taken 16 podium finishes.

Across this period, the team finished third in the World Constructors’ Championship in 2014 and 2015 and enjoyed its most successful season since 2017 by finishing seventh overall in the 2023 standings.

James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing added: “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.

“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 strategic objectives for the future, whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing expertise and capabilities in-house.”

Mercedes has built an illustrious history since returning to the pinnacle of motorsport, firstly as an engine supplier in 1994 and then as a full works team in 2010.

Since the introduction of the current power unit regulations, Mercedes-AMG has powered 114 victories, including two for customer teams, in 204 Grands Prix and won eight consecutive World Constructors’ Championships.

Development of the new power unit has been underway since mid-2022 at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth.

A healthy portfolio of strong customer teams will enable faster learning once these power units take to the track in 2026.