Overview
- Johnny Herbert says he has heard Mercedes’ new power unit failed to start when installed in the car, describing the information as second-hand.
- Neither Mercedes nor its power-unit division has confirmed any issue, and the reports are characterized as whispers rather than verified facts.
- The claim follows earlier reporting that Mercedes may benefit from a compression-ratio interpretation under the 2026 rules, creating conflicting expectations.
- Mercedes entered the off-season viewed as early favorites after finishing second in the 2025 constructors’ championship.
- Herbert notes early technical glitches are common, with Barcelona shakedown and Bahrain testing expected to reveal reliability and performance realities.