© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff dismisses any further changes to 2026 power unit rules, demanded by “teams that feel they are on the backfoot”.
Formula 1 will embark on a new direction in 2026, when new technical regulations will kick in. Not only will there be a completely new chassis, but also for the first time since 2014, F1 will have brand new power units.
The last time such a change happened, Mercedes dominated with their powerful turbo-hybrid power unit, and team boss Toto Wolff seems to be optimistic about their chances this time around too.
When asked about FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis’ comment that further tweaks to the power unit regulations could be done, in response to some manufacturers allegedly being behind their rivals in terms of development, Toto dismissed any such interventions.
“The regulations have been decided on the power unit side, I think that’s pretty clear,” the Austrian said.
“I think there is a governance in place, and if you adhere to the governance that, for me, is the most important.
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“On the power unit side, that ship has sailed. There are teams that feel they are on the backfoot, and there other teams, the OEMs, that will feel they have done a good job.
“That’s the normal kind of wrestling with the regulations.”
As for the chassis side, Toto said he is open to changes, as many have said that the new cars will be fast on the straights, but slow in the corners.
“On the chassis side, the FIA and the teams agree that we need to optimise the regulations because the car’s performance is just not good enough at this stage.
“Having said that, I’m sure we can achieve that. There are tweaks that are possible, that we need to do.
“But on the engine side, the process is far too advanced,” Wolff concluded.
