Mercedes closes the turbo-hybrid Formula 1 era with Brixworth demo run

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS marks the end of the turbo-hybrid F1 era in Brixworth, reflecting on twelve seasons of success ahead of the 2026 regulations. Read the full story.

At its Brixworth base, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains marked the end of one of the most successful technical eras in Formula 1 history. A demonstration run on 16 December 2025 became a symbolic farewell to the turbo-hybrid era that began in 2014 and shaped the competitive landscape of the sport for more than a decade.

Over twelve seasons, Mercedes power units developed in Brixworth and run on PETRONAS fuels and lubricants set the benchmark for efficiency and reliability in Formula 1. The numbers underline the scale of that dominance: 252 races, 140 victories, 150 pole positions and 387 podium finishes, achieved by the works team and its customer outfits combined.

The closing chapter was written by reserve driver Fred Vesti, who took to the road outside the factory in two cars that frame the entire era. The W05 from 2014 and the W16 from the 2025 season represent the beginning and the conclusion of Mercedes’ turbo-hybrid success story. After a short lap around the facility, Vesti entertained the assembled staff with celebratory donuts, turning a technical milestone into a shared moment of emotion.

All power unit specifications from each season of the turbo-hybrid era were displayed during the event, highlighting the continuous development effort behind the headline statistics. Speaking at the gathering, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Managing Director Hywel Thomas described the occasion as a rare opportunity to pause and reflect on what had been achieved by teams in Brixworth, Brackley and at PETRONAS locations around the world.

Even as the era closed, the focus quickly shifted forward. Formula 1 is preparing for a new generation of regulations in 2026, and work on Mercedes’ next power unit is already approaching a crucial phase. The first on-track tests are expected to take place in Barcelona in the coming weeks. With the removal of the MGU-H, a greater emphasis on electrical power and the introduction of fully sustainable fuels, a new chapter is about to begin — and Mercedes is already positioning itself for the challenges ahead.