The new power units of the next Formula 1 era are beginning to come to life, and for some insiders this could already be the engine to beat. Mercedes has fired up the power unit of its 2026 car, revealing the roar of the engine that will power George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the upcoming championship.
While Ferrari has announced the presentation date of its new Maranello-built car, rivals from Brackley and Brixworth have chosen to give fans a first taste of the future by showcasing the sound of their new power unit. On its official social media channels, Mercedes published an audio clip allowing listeners to hear the distinctive melody of the 2026 Formula 1 engine.
According to several figures within the paddock, the Anglo-German manufacturer’s power unit is considered one of the most promising ahead of the new season. Toto Wolff’s team accompanied the video shared on social media with a short but evocative message designed to build anticipation: “Coming soon. New era, new sound.”
Testing schedule takes shape ahead of the new season
The winter break will not last long. Teams are expected to return to action early in January for the first closed-door test sessions in Barcelona, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló. Formula 1 will be on track in Spain between 26 and 30 January as preparations for the new era begin to intensify.
With the arrival of February, the Circus will then move to Bahrain, where two further pre-season testing sessions are scheduled ahead of the world championship opener in Melbourne in March. This time, the cars will run behind open doors at the Sakhir circuit, between 11 and 13 February and again from 18 to 20 February.
Each team will have a total of nine days of on-track running available to prepare for the first season of the new Formula 1 era. Every lap, every system check, and every sound from the new power units will be closely analysed as teams look to gain an early advantage before the lights go out for the first race of the year.
As the countdown to the 2026 season intensifies, Mercedes’ impressive engine fire-up has set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive new chapter in Formula 1, with power units playing a pivotal role in the battle for supremacy.
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