Team gathers staff for symbolic farewell to 12 years of dominance before 2026 regulation reset
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Mercedes bids farewell to turbo-hybrid engines with Brixworth ceremony and animated tribute
End of an era: Mercedes celebrates turbo-hybrid success at HPP factory event
Mercedes has marked the conclusion of its groundbreaking turbo-hybrid Formula 1 engine era with a heartfelt celebration at its High Performance Powertrains facility in Brixworth. The event brought together the entire workforce to reflect on an extraordinary 12-year period that began in 2014 and wrapped up with the 2025 season, delivering unprecedented technical excellence and sporting triumphs.
Held on December 16, 2025, the gathering served as a powerful symbolic milestone for the German manufacturer. Staff members shared memories, acknowledged the immense challenges overcome, and celebrated the remarkable achievements that redefined modern grand prix racing. From revolutionary energy recovery systems to unmatched reliability, the turbo-hybrid power units powered Mercedes to eight consecutive constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2021 and multiple drivers’ titles for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
The occasion featured an exclusive animation created in partnership with renowned illustrator SportsBall. This visually striking tribute captured the essence of Mercedes’ journey through the hybrid era, highlighting key innovations, iconic victories, and the relentless pursuit of performance that established new benchmarks in the sport.
Commemorative runs and upcoming announcements
Adding to the nostalgia, reserve driver Fred Vesti took to the track at Brixworth behind the wheel of two historic machines: the championship-winning W05 from 2014—the car that kicked off the dominance—and the final turbo-hybrid contender, the W16 from 2025. These demonstration runs provided a fitting bookend, bridging the era’s beginning and end with the roar of the 1.6-liter V6 power units one last time.
Mercedes teased the event through a short video message on its official social media channels, building anticipation among fans worldwide. The team confirmed that a full official press release will follow within the next 24 hours, featuring statements from Hywel Thomas, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP, alongside Vesti’s reflections on his special drives.
Exclusive images from the day, showcasing the atmosphere among the dedicated engineers and technicians who made the success possible, are also expected as part of the release. The collaboration with SportsBall has already generated buzz, with the animation serving as a perfect visual homage to over a decade of engineering mastery.
Looking back on dominance and forward to 2026
Throughout the turbo-hybrid regulations, Mercedes established itself as the benchmark, introducing groundbreaking concepts that competitors scrambled to match. The era saw records tumble in terms of race wins, pole positions, and overall reliability, cementing the three-pointed star’s place in F1 history.
Today’s celebration went beyond mere festivities—it fostered genuine team unity at both Brixworth and the chassis base in Brackley. Employees had the chance to reconnect over shared experiences, from late-night development pushes to podium celebrations around the globe.
As the focus shifts to the radically different 2026 power units—with a near-equal split between internal combustion and electric power, plus sustainable fuels—Mercedes enters the next chapter with renewed determination. The knowledge gained over these 12 years provides a strong foundation, even as the team adapts to supplying engines to McLaren, Aston Martin, Williams, and its own works squad under the new rules.
For English-speaking F1 fans reflecting on one of the most dominant periods in the sport’s history, this Brixworth event offers a poignant reminder of Mercedes’ extraordinary contribution to the turbo-hybrid age. As the calendar turns toward pre-season testing, anticipation builds for how the Silver Arrows will fare when the grid resets in 2026.
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