The fight for the world title is getting intense, as only six more rounds are left to crown the champion. While Red Bull and McLaren are the top contenders for both the trophies, Ferrari and Mercedes are fighting it out for the third spot. However, Ferrari has an edge over the German Marque, with its SF24 performing well on the tracks. Meanwhile, Mercedes is in a slump again, with the W15 appearing lackluster. The team showed signs of resurgence after winning three races in four rounds.
However, the Silver Arrows returned to a lackluster performance after the Summer Break, securing just one podium. While the 2024 season is heading towards a disastrous end for Mercedes, the next couple of seasons might be the gateway to regain domination. The team has been working on its new powertrains, and being an expert in PU manufacturing, they’re on the right track. Thus, Williams principal James Vowel has lauded the team’s effort to outpace its rivals in engine production.
Mercedes Sets Sight On Regaining Dominance With Strategic Powertrain Plan
During his appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast, James Vowles commended Mercedes for their outstanding work, which played a significant role in his decision to extend his contract with the team. He pointed out that Mercedes has adopted a forward-looking strategy, particularly with the upcoming power unit regulations set for 2026. While the current power units across the grid are fairly similar in performance, Vowles expects this to change in 2026, with noticeable variations between teams. However, he doesn’t foresee the significant performance gaps seen in 2014 when introducing new power units caused major disparities.
Vowles explained that while the new power unit regulations might seem to build on the existing framework, they will involve entirely new designs, particularly regarding electrical systems and how teams maximize performance from internal combustion engines (ICE). In this aspect, he noted that Mercedes has been especially strategic, having invested in emerging technologies earlier than other teams, positioning them well for teh future.
He also mentioned that while sustainable fuels will play a role in Formula 1’s evolution, they are unlikely to be the primary factor influencing performance. Instead, advancements in power unit technology, coupled with Mercedes’ early investments, will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness. Vowles believes that although teams will experience performance differences, the gaps won’t be as wide as they were in previous regulatory changes.
Can Mercedes Repeat 2014 Glory? James Vowel Predicts
James Vowles recently addressed the current state of power units in Formula 1, explaining that the performance differences between teams’ engines are minimal at present. However, he anticipates that the situation will evolve by 2026, with more noticeable differences emerging as new power unit regulations come into play. Despite these changes, Vowles doesn’t expect the performance gaps to be as dramatic as they were in 2014 when the introduction of new engine regulations led to significant disparities across the field. He believes that while teams will start to differentiate in performance, the spread will be far more balanced than in previous years.
