P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Christian Horner has been outspoken about how he – and much of the F1 paddock – believes Mercedes will fare when the new power unit regulations come into play next season, something Ford has supported.
Mark Rushbrook, global director at Ford Performance, has concurred with Christian Horner’s observation that Mercedes appear “confident” about the upcoming power unit regulations in F1.
The 2026 season will bring significant changes to both chassis and engine rules, with Red Bull venturing into manufacturing engines for the first time alongside Ford in a technical partnership.
The proposed alterations to the power unit regulations have sparked debate, with Horner pushing for adjustments to the agreed 50-50 split between ICE and electronic power.
Despite initial resistance, Toto Wolff has shown a willingness to consider revisions, indicating a potential shift from the current 50-50 split to a 60-40 split urged by Horner.
While Mercedes HPP’s previous success in engine development fuels expectations, Rushbrook emphasized the uncertainty of predicting rival teams’ competitiveness due to the lack of standardized testing conditions.
Acknowledging Horner’s assessment of Mercedes’ confidence, Rushbrook echoed the sentiment, highlighting a shared agreement between the two about the situation.
