Mercedes’ Toto Wolff Expects Varied Progress on 2026 Formula 1 Engine Development
As the Formula 1 community gears up for the significant changes brought about by the 2026 power unit regulations, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff suspects that some teams might be lagging behind in their development. The new 2026 Formula 1 engine will feature 100% sustainable fuels, the removal of the MGU-H system, and a greater reliance on electrification, resulting in a 50/50 power split between internal combustion and electrical engine components.
Wolff believes that this shift will lead to varying levels of progress among teams, with some faring better than others. “On the power unit side, the ship has sailed,” Wolff said. “There are teams that feel they are on the back foot, and there are other teams that will feel, and OEMs, that they have done a good job.” This discrepancy is attributed to the normal back-and-forth between teams as they adapt to new regulations.
Amid calls for revisions to the chassis and aerodynamic regulations announced prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, Wolff thinks that adjustments can still be made on the chassis side. However, on the engine side, the process is already too advanced. The 2026 power unit regulations were formalized in 2022, and any significant changes at this point would be difficult to implement.
“I still think that the way in which the power units are planned to be used needs to be adjusted,” stated McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella.
In response, the FIA’s Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis expressed confidence that a discussion could be had among engine manufacturers regarding the 2026 power units.
Wolff’s comments, however, suggest that not all teams are on the same page. Given Mercedes’ past success in adapting to new regulations, such as their dominance in 2014 with the introduction of hybrid engines, it’s no surprise that they’re bullish about their forthcoming power unit. In Monaco, George Russell expressed the team’s confidence, saying, “The team are feeling really confident for this era,” and claiming Mercedes is “in a really great place to have a great engine.”
With Mercedes still seeking their first Grand Prix win since Sao Paulo in 2022, they’re keen to hold onto any advantage they believe they have for 2026 and beyond. The 2026 Formula 1 engine regulations will undoubtedly bring about a new era of competition, and it will be interesting to see which teams can best adapt to the changes.
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