Mercedes is ready to make compromises when it comes to new engine rules in order to make it easier for the Volkswagen Group to enter Formula 1

Formula 1 will experience some significant revisions in the coming years, starting with a new car design for the 2022 season. In addition, engine manufacturers in motorsport are discussing how engines can be made simpler, more sustainable and more cost-effective.

These discussions will lead to new engine rules to be introduced from 2025 and the emphasis on cost reduction is important to attract outside parties to motorsport. One of the most notable names that have expressed interest in entering motorsport is the Volkswagen Group, which was present at the recent F1 engine supplier meeting in Italy.

During the meeting, Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, said that Mercedes was ready to compromise on future F1 engine rules in order to make it easier for the Volkswagen Group to get into motorsport, Reuters and Motorsport.com reported .

He stated that Mercedes was ready to abolish the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit-Heat) system in order to simplify the aggregates. The current V6 turbo hybrid units, which will be used in F1 cars until 2024, have two motor-generator systems, with the MGU-H having the task of recovering, storing and providing energy from or to the turbocharger . There is also the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic) system that recovers and supplies kinetic energy when braking.

“The MGU-H will be dropped when we can reconcile many other points. I think it’s a compromise. I can’t speak for others, but we at Mercedes are ready … to make the Volkswagen Group’s entry easier, ”said Wolff. Porsche, which belongs to the Volkswagen Group, was involved in Formula 1 in the past, but withdrew due to high costs; it has said it will consider returning if conditions are right.

“But there are a few other issues that need to be compromised. If a compromise cannot be found, we will likely fall back on governance and have 2026 regulations that the FIA ​​and FOM (Formula One Management) will work out, ”he added.

Mercedes currently supplies four of the 10 teams competing in Formula 1, including its own team as well as the McLaren F1 team, the Aston Martin Cognizant F1 team and Williams Racing. Ferrari engines are now used by his works team together with Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen and the Uralkali Haas F1 Team.

Renault only supplies its Alpine F1 team, while Honda power units from Red Bull Racing Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda are used. Honda has announced that it will be leaving Formula 1 at the end of the current season, although Red Bull will take over the intellectual property of Honda starting next year and supply its own engines via the newly formed Red Bull Powertrains.