Mercedes and fuel and oil partner Petronas are getting a head start on Formula 1’s future engine regulations by extending their collaboration beyond 2026. Petronas has been a sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team since the German manufacturer’s return to Grand Prix racing as a works outfit in 2010. But the relationship transformed into a close technical partnership with the advent of the hybrid era in F1 in 2014, with the Malaysian oil company reaping the benefits of the Brackley squad’s unwavering success during eight consecutive seasons. With the arrival of its new generation power unit in 2026, F1 will…