Wolff: Mercedes wants to supply engines to fewer teams

In addition to its own Formula One team, Mercedes also supplies McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin with engines. Bad news may soon follow for one of those customer teams. Mercedes would prefer to supply one less team with PUs.

Not lucrative

Supplying engines to other teams is not a lucrative business, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. In fact, the FIA has stipulated that a maximum amount may be asked of smaller teams looking for an engine for their car. At the same time, teams like Mercedes have to deal with rising costs, including rising inflation and rising freight costs.

Talking to the Financial Times, Wolff, therefore, wonders aloud whether Mercedes should continue to provide three teams with a PU in the future? "In an ideal world, I would maybe see us [Mercedes] plus two [customer teams], so actually downsize a bit," said Wolff.

Volkswagen Group

Wolff's statements are probably not unrelated to the arrival of the Volkswagen Group in Formula 1. Red Bull Racing is expected to join forces with Porsche starting in 2026. Sister brand Audi is also looking for a partner and for that Williams and McLaren are in the picture. Williams has Red Bull-supported Alex Albon in the car and team owner Jost Capito was a former Volkswagen Motorsport director.