Mercedes: We don’t want to go sailing

When America’s Cup boats took a jump in speed for the 2013 edition, the issue of aeronautic drag gained attention. Airplane and race car designers were now going sailing.

Mercedes Formula One division supported British challenger Ben Ainlie’s team for the 2021 and 2024 competitions, but his third effort toward the 2027 America’s Cup will be without the luxury automotive brand.

“We don’t want to do this anymore,” confirmed Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “We’re a Formula 1 racing team. We don’t want to go sailing. We don’t want to do any other sports. Complete focus [must be] on only Formula 1.”

For Ainslie’s design team, Mercedes had lent personnel along with engineering and aerodynamics tools, as well as its simulation and manufacturing infrastructure, but with a raft of F1 regulation changes coming in 2026, Wolff is keen to maintain focus on what’s most important… car racing.

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to January 31, 2026. If no USA team participates in the 38th America’s Cup, it will be the first time in the event’s 175-year history.

Current entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Defender
• Athena Racing (GBR) – Challenger of Record
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) – Challenger
• K-Challenge (FRA) – Challenger

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Racing will be in the spring and summer of 2027.

Source: AC38