Toto Wolff has slammed a “joke” suggested rule change to the upcoming new Formula 1 engine regulations. The rules, which come into force for the 2026 season, will see power units used which will have a greater reliance on electrical energy.
The power that will come from those engines will be around a 50/50 split between sustainable fuels and electricity. That increased usage of hybrid power has attracted more manufacturers to the sport with Audi joining next year, General Motors planning to make their own engines from 2028 and Honda U-turning on their original decision to quit F1.
But there are also concerns about what it might do to the quality of racing. At come circuits which need more power on longer straights, the fear is that the engines could run out of electrical energy before the end of those straights, causing cars to slow down.
Potential tweaks to those engine rules will be discussed at a meeting of the F1 Commission on Thursday this week. However, not everyone is happy to see it on the agenda.
Mercedes team principal Wolff has been particularly scathing in his comments about the prospect of discussing more changes to the engine rules which come into force soon, with manufacturers already well into the process of designing and building their power units for 2026.
He said: “Reading the agenda of the F1 commission is almost as hilarious as reading some of the comments that I see on Twitter on American politics. I really want to protect ourselves and make no comment, but it’s a joke. A week ago, there was an engine meeting and then things like this end up on the agenda again.”
Wolff and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner often find themselves on the opposite sides of arguments. And the same is true on this subject with the latter a supporter of the idea of adjusting the power reliance on batteries on those longer and faster circuits.
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But he denied any suggestion that he has worked to have the matter discussed at this week’s meeting and said: “I think that this is something that we asked to be looked at two years ago and it’s not something that we’ve pushed to be on the agenda this week at all.
“The FIA have gone away and done their research, and I think what they want to desperately avoid is a lot of lifting and coasting in the grand prix itself, which is going to be not particularly good for the sport and hugely frustrating for the drivers.
“So it’s not something that we’ve lobbied for or asked for, and if they’re doing it in the interest of the sport, then you’ve got to support it.”
Along with Audi, Red Bull are building their own engines for the first time ahead of the new regulations, in partnership with Ford. Motorsport.com reports that major changes to the 2026 engine rules at such short notice are unlikely to be voted through.
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