F1 News: Mercedes Road to 2026, Episode 1: The Journey So Far

Innovation has long been a closely guarded aspect of F1. A new Mercedes four-part series, launched today, gives fans an insight into how one of the sport’s most successful technical partnerships is preparing for the upcoming regulation changes set to reshape the sport from 2026 onwards.

The series explores the cutting-edge technologies and collaborative innovations being developed between the team and PETRONAS. Episode one of the Road to 2026, sets the stage by tracing the evolution of hybrid technology in F1, exploring how both have continued to innovate together evolving demands and previewing the major regulatory shifts ahead.

In this opening episode, senior figures from both PETRONAS and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team share their perspectives on the evolution of the partnership, the challenges of hybrid-era development, and what lies in store for 2026.

The episode features exclusive interviews with:

• Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
• Bradley Lord, Team Representative & Chief Communications Officer – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
• Hywel Thomas, Managing Director – Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Hywel Thomas
• Faiz Sulaiman, Head, Strategy, Finance & Risk, Downstream – PETRONAS

Since 2010, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and PETRONAS have built a highly successful technical partnership. Together, they have achieved eight Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ World Championships, along with 119 race wins, 131 pole positions, and 279 podium finishes-driven by a shared focus on performance, innovation, and sustainability.

Each episode will focus on a key theme-from sustainable fuels to power unit evolution-highlighting the technologies that will define the next generation of racing.