Concerns for Hamilton and Alonso? Wolff issues bold 2026 forecast

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the 53-year-old explained why he feels the new rules set to reshape F1 from 2026 may favour drivers who have grown up immersed in simulator work compared to their older counterparts.

“The question is: what is a younger driver? It’s a little bit George [Russell], and his generation, Max [Verstappen], and they are very… they work on the simulator, and they enjoy that. It’s their generation,” he said.

Wolff further stated that whichever driver is in love with virtual racing could enjoy a major advantage once the new regulations begin.

“Yes, I think whoever loves to be in the virtual world, be it on a rig at home or in a simulator in the factory, is going to have an advantage,” Wolff concluded.

The 2026 season will usher in one of the biggest regulatory overhauls in Formula 1’s history, with sweeping changes to power units, chassis design, and aerodynamics. Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are among the oldest drivers on the 2026 grid.

Earlier, Wolff praised the McLaren team for the championship victory it achieved during the 2025 campaign.

The Mercedes team principal also highlighted how the Woking-based outfit won consecutive constructors’ titles with a Mercedes power unit.

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