Mercedes High Performance Powertrains has marked the closing of its current engine era at Brixworth as Formula 1 moves toward major 2026 technical changes. The same base is also developing the next Mercedes power unit for the new regulations.
The BBC programme frames the winter as a rare reset for the sport: the 2025 cars are away, but factory work is intensifying as teams respond to revised car and power-unit rules. At Mercedes, Hywel Thomas’ Brixworth operation is central to the engine programme, while James Allison is overseeing wider car-design work at Brackley.
The episode also connects the factory story with the human side of the off-season. Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman are described as using the break to step away from the paddock, while Haas continues preparations for the new era with figures including Laura Muller and Esteban Ocon referenced in the programme notes.
Valtteri Bottas is another focus, with the BBC description saying he is preparing for a return to the grid with Cadillac and already looking toward testing and the opening race in Melbourne. For editors, the strongest angle is not a prediction about 2026 performance, but the scale of transition facing teams, suppliers, engineers and drivers at the same time.
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