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Mercedes have built the best power unit for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, as Toto Wolff admitted following the Belgian Grand Prix.
The FIA’s ADUO ranking, which is based solely on internal combustion engine power and not the batteries, placed Red Bull at the top, much to the amazement of the paddock.
But Mercedes, who have won eight of the first 10 races this year, are clearly the benchmark. And yet, that class-leading performance seems to be coming at a cost.
What are your thoughts on Mercedes being granted an engine upgrade through ADUO despite their 2026 dominance?
Mercedes’ rivals shocked by their battery deployment patterns
Across the last three race weekends, George Russell has complained about a straight-line deficit compared to teammate Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes initially thought that Antonelli’s energy management was simply superior through the corners, but Russell drove the same way in Belgium and still lost time.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who drive for Mercedes customers McLaren, say there has been an element of randomness behind their results this season, with their self-learning power units behaving erratically at times.
Andrea Stella’s theory is that, at this early stage of the ruleset, the slightest variations in power unit operation are making a significant difference to its output.
But F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli has learned that the Mercedes engine, for all its strengths, may be the most unpredictable of all.
She reported on her YouTube channel: “I’ve heard people who use other engines say, ‘The Mercedes engine, specifically, it’s a bit crazy regarding the whole power deployment aspect.’
Let us know your podium prediction for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix! 🇭🇺
“Let’s remember another very important detail in this story: the software – the way it delivers power or holds it back, how it draws energy from the combustion engine and where it directs it – it learns via AI.
“Artificial intelligence drives the software, even adjusting it from one lap to the next; if the wind changes, the software calculates things differently.
“So, it could be related to Mercedes’ software, but perhaps interacting with Russell’s driving style or something they’re doing on his side of the garage that simply didn’t work on these high-speed tracks.”
If there is an issue buried in Mercedes’ power unit code, it shouldn’t have a major impact at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix given that the track only features one meaningful straight.
Thanks to their aforementioned ADUO privileges, Mercedes will be able to upgrade their engine this year. Improving its consistency, as well as its reliability, is bound to be a primary target.
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