P1racenews AI automatic summary:
James Vowles has cooled predictions of Mercedes dominance ahead of F1’s rules changes in 2026, suggesting “no one knows” how the teams will stack up.
James Vowles has cast doubt on Mercedes’ expected dominance in Formula 1 following the 2026 rule changes, emphasizing the unknown nature of team performance under the new regulations. Despite Mercedes excelling in the 2014 power unit overhaul, the upcoming changes will split power units evenly between combustion and electrical power, with the removal of the MGU-H component by the FIA. While it is widely speculated that Mercedes will maintain its lead in 2026, Vowles suggests that other manufacturers are driving these predictions to influence regulation revisions. Williams, powered by Mercedes since 2014, aims to build on its recent improvements, although breaking into the top three Constructors’ Championship spots in 2026 is viewed as a challenging goal given the competitive landscape. Vowles stresses a gradual progression for Williams, with a top-three finish being a stretch target beyond their current expectations.
