Max Verstappen in Zandvoort - Red Bull Contentpool

F1 drivers react to Wolff's 400 kph statements

11:57, 29 Aug

Updated: 12:49, 29 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Recently Toto Wolff made the claim that 2026 power units, in conjunction with the aerodynamics of the upcoming cars, could in fact allow them to reach speeds of up to 400 km/h. F1 drivers have since reacted to that claim.

However, some nuance is required. The Mercedes team principal and CEO did not suggest these speeds would be attainable under normal circumstances, but rather only when cars are put through their paces under overtaking situations, making full use of the active aerodynamics and the battery deployment of the hybrid component.

F1 drivers react to Wolff's statements

Speaking to media like GPblog prior to the Dutch Grand Prix, the drivers all made their stance on the matter known. Alpine's Pierre Gasly, who is set to drive Wolff's Mercedes engines, wasn't sold on the idea.

"I don't believe stories, I only believe what I see. I'm sure we can even go 400 with those cars if you change the gearbox and increase the straights, take off the first chicane in Monza.

"I don't know. I've tried the car in the simulator and I know what it does. I'm not too sure where that comes from, to be honest. So yeah, we'll see. We'll see next year. I'm happy if my car goes 400 kph, that's for sure."

Charles Leclerc during the media day in Zandvoort

"With active aerodynamics, with the front wing also being a DRS… we’ll see."

- Charles Leclerc

Haas F1's Esteban Ocon, who has not yet driven the 2026 F1 car in the simulator, took Wolff's claims with a pinch of salt and fear: "These 380–400 km/h figures sound scary when people talk about them, but I’ll have my opinion once I drive it in the simulator."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc did see there was something to it though. The Monegasque said: "It’s fast, but I don’t know. I’ve already shared a little bit more on next year. It’s going to be a bit strange, the way we are going to reach those speeds.

"But it’s only the beginning, and I think the development is going so fast that every time you are on the simulator it changes, and it changes a lot. At the end it might be more normal than what I kind of expected at the beginning.

"But we’ve got to wait and see, because the development curve is so big at the moment that you might comment something one week, but then a week later things are different and in a different window.

"So if we reach those speeds, then it will be quite impressive. With active aerodynamics, with the front wing also being a DRS… we’ll see."

Verstappen, in jokes and smiles, does believe that the potential may be there, but there's one big obstacle in the way of attaining those speeds. "Maybe Toto's engine will," the Red Bull Racing driver jested.

"I think the FIA has already explained it fairly well, that they don't allow that on certain circuits. I don't want to say there will be a limit, but attention is being paid to ensure you don't go too fast in terms of energy," he concluded on a more serious note.