P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has predicted Mercedes to be “at the front” with F1’s new power unit regulations kicking in from next season onwards.
Max Verstappen predicts Mercedes will be competitive with the new power unit regulations in Formula 1 next season. The 2025 season will mark the end of the ground-effects era and the turbo-hybrid engines in F1. The new technical rule-set will feature a true hybrid engine with a 50-50 split between electrical output and internal combustion. This change aims to attract new engine manufacturers to the paddock, with Audi and Cadillac joining next season. Verstappen favors Mercedes for next season, acknowledging their historical strength and top-tier performance. Despite Red Bull’s own engine program with Ford, Verstappen acknowledges the challenges ahead but trusts his team to deliver a competitive package.
