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Toto Wolff says what “frightens” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner about 2026 power unit rule changes is that maybe “his engine programme is not coming along”.
In 2026 Formula 1 will be introducing new power units, which will be a radical departure from what the cars are using today.
To get ready for this change, Red Bull founded its new Red Bull Powertrains factory, that will be developing and producing the team’s 2026 power units, in conjunction with Ford.
However, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is not completely satisfied with the rule changes.
“I think that perhaps where we need to pay urgent attention before it’s too late is to look at the ratio between combustion power and electrical power,” Horner said at the Austrian Grand Prix press conference.
“I think that perhaps where we need to pay urgent attention, before it’s too late, is to look at the ratio between combustion power and electrical power.
“[We need] to ensure that we’re not creating a technical Frankenstein, which will require the chassis to compensate to such a degree with moveable aero and reduce the drag to such a level that the racing will be affected – and that there will be no tow effect and no DRS because effectively you’re running like that at all points in time.
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“Plus, with the characteristics of these engines, that the combustion engine just doesn’t become a generator to recharge a battery.
“We still have two and a half years, and I think if there is a slight redress it would then create potentially a better platform for the chassis. Otherwise, the chassis regulations that are undefined yet and uncommitted, we’re going to be trying to cater for those compromises.
“You have got to look at the thing holistically from both the technical point of view, and most importantly what is F1.
“F1 needs to be wheel-to-wheel racing. We can’t afford to lose that challenge and have drivers downshifting on the straights to regenerate batteries.
“I know the FIA taking it very seriously, and they’re looking at it very closely as the simulations become more advanced,” he concluded.
Upon hearing this, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said his rival appears to be ‘frightened’.
“I think what frightens him more maybe is that his engine programme is not coming along, and then maybe he wants to kill it [the new rules] that way,” the Austrian said.
“So you always have to question what’s the real motivation to say something like that.”
Wolff added there is “zero chance” of the regulations being changed now.
“That’s not going to happen. ZERO CHANCE: capital letters. So I don’t know why these things are coming up.
“We have developed these regulations over many years, with all the auto manufacturers being involved.
“It was a compromise that attracted Audi to finally joining the sport, and for Honda to stay in there. This is the best possible case that one could imagine for F1.
“Is it challenging? Are our chassis designers saying ‘well, how are we going to do this?’ Yeah, but super.
“These regulations are not going to change anymore. They’re not going to be postponed anymore, because the world needs to show innovation around sustainability. We need to reduce emissions. And we’re super excited.”
Toto then called those who express concerns about the new rules “doom-mongers”.
“It’s doom-mongers. Do you think that in all reality, we are not innovative in this sport to come up with chassis/engine regulations that can avoid drivers shifting down on the straight?
“It is real that when you take today’s chassis and put the future power unit in it, there are a few tracks with very long straights, where we would have massive derates in the power unit. But that’s today’s efficiency.
“We’re not bolting on today’s chassis, which are heavy, like a prototype, and big like an elephant. That’s what we need to reinvent for 2026.
“And whether it is some retractable aerodynamic elements, or whether the shapes of the cars are going to change in order to meet the more sustainable world, more aerodynamic efficiency, I think that’s great,” Wolff concluded.
