Will Williams continue with Mercedes engines? The decision falls this year

Williams must make a choice whether or not to continue with Mercedes, the current engine supplier. Mercedes is one of six engine suppliers for the period from 2026 to 2030. Team boss James Vowles (who of course just moved from Mercedes to Williams) says his team will make a decision this year. "We need to ensure we review the marketplace and make decisions on that shortly", says the Williams man.

Williams has always prided itself on being fiercely independent. The problem with customer teams is that they depend on their engine suppliers for their engines. "At some point you have to be in charge of your own destiny, and you’re simply not when you rely on someone else providing you parts", Vowles told Formula1.com.

He and his Williams comrades will be making the decision this year, but Vowles does say that this decision is not number one on the priority list. "We have bigger fish to fry at the moment."

Toto Wolff possibly the bogeyman

Williams may want to continue with Mercedes because of its fine relationship and good cooperation, but the German formation must want it itself. Indeed, in the summer of 2022, Toto Wolff said that he would like some fewer customers. He would like to limit customers to one or two teams. In addition to its own team, Mercedes also supplies Aston Martin, McLaren and thus Williams with an engine. The six suppliers are: Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull Ford.

Just over a fortnight ago, it was revealed that McLaren has contacted Red Bull and Honda about engine collaboration. This plays an interesting role in the Williams story. Should McLaren sell out, the way is open for Williams to join hands with Mercedes.