Wolff on car in 2026: 'Will be dragsters or small spaceships'

Since 2022, Formula 1 has introduced new technical regulations regarding the ground effect of the cars. After two not so good seasons with these regulations, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff would rather look ahead to 2026, than backwards.

New regulations are once again scheduled for the pinnacle of motorsport in the 2026 season. This time it mainly has to do with the engines. New regulations create new opportunities and Toto Wolff looks at these chances optimistically.

In an interview with Kronen Zeitung, Wolff says that as far as the engine is concerned, everything is clear. The engine must consist of 100% renewable fuel and up to 50% electric traction. One point that still causes uncertainty is that of energy recovery.

The current cars with their power units would struggle to maintain top speed with the new regulations, at circuits such as Monza and Las Vegas. The biggest challenge for 2026 will therefore be to develop faster and lighter cars, which at the same time are equipped with a battery that allows it to harness the powerful electric drive.

Mercedes thus faces another big challenge. "The car has to be shorter, faster and more efficient from an aerodynamic point of view. We aim to minimise aerodynamic drag on straights, without sacrificing downforce in corners," Wolff explained.

On what the cars will then look like in 2026, the Austrian joked. "I don't know if they will be dragsters or little spaceships with wings that retract in a straight line, but that is exactly what makes it so exciting and that is exactly how F1 should be, which is to break new ground."