Mercedes Release New Engine Sound for 2026 Season as Fans Left Divided

Formula 1 fans have been reacting after Mercedes released new engine sound ahead of the 2026 season.

In 2025, Mercedes finished in second place with 469 points but were a long way behind champions McLaren, who managed to collect 833 points.

The Brackley-based team recorded two victories last season, with George Russell winning the Canadian Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, rookie Kimi Antonelli enjoyed a decent debut season in F1, finishing in seventh place with 150 points. Russell was fourth with 319 points.

Looking ahead, paddock rumours have placed Mercedes as the frontrunners with F1 heading into a new era.

The technical regulations have again by revamped, with more focus on the power unit.

It has been widely speculated that Mercedes' power unit could be the best on the grid, which will also benefit customer teams like McLaren, Williams and Alpine.

On Friday morning, Mercedes posted a snippet of the 2026 engine sound on social media, days after Honda did the same ahead of their partnership with Aston Martin.

Taking to social media, F1 fans have been comparing the two teams' engine sounds.

One fan said: "Better than turbo hybrid whine, but still dreaming of V10 screams... close enough?"

Another tweeted: "Now we can compare with Honda. Nope. Not even close. Give me them downshifts."

A third fan added: "It seems like removing the MGU-H really did the V6 a very good favor."

Someone else wrote: "Sounds good but not as good as v8 or v10 era."

A fifth commented: "Not as good as Honda sadly, sounds too electrical and whiny."

Another fan said: "Beyond mid sound. Honda clears."

What has George Russell said about 2026?

Speaking earlier this year, Russell expressed Mercedes' confidence ahead of 2026.

He said: "I mean, ordinarily, 2026 seems like a long time away, but in the world of Formula 1 it’s going to be here tomorrow, and the team are feeling really confident for this era.

"I think you know the experience the team have had, the success in 2014 with the new powertrain, and then obviously the time in Formula E, the work that was done with the [Mercedes-AMG ONE] Hypercar. There are a lot of individuals within HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] who have got so much experience with this future technology."

Russell continued: "I think that leaves us in a really great place to have a great engine. And the work [Mercedes fuel and lubricant partner] Petronas are doing on the fuel as well is looking really strong. So, on the engine side, I think we’re feeling very confident for that era."