Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is already tempering optimism for Mercedes in light of the new regulations for 2026. Next year, the German racing team will be supplying engines to McLaren, Williams, and for the first time, Alpine. According to Wolff, all these teams will be serious competitors for the Silver Arrows next season: ‘You’re bringing the enemy into your own house.’
Significant regulations are planned for 2026 in Formula 1. Both the engines and the chassis will be adjusted, making it completely open as to which of the teams will be the fastest. There is a lot of self-confidence at Mercedes about the upcoming season. During the last major engine switch in 2014, the racing team also emerged as the strongest team. However, team boss Toto Wolff warns that next year could be a lot tougher, as several good teams will be using the Mercedes engine. “If our power unit is the strongest – again, I don’t know – then there will be four teams (with this engine),” Wolff tells Sky F1.
Mercedes Under Pressure
Alpine started early with many aerodynamic tests because they did not perform well last year. This year, the French team has decided to focus mainly on 2026 and give the current season slightly less priority. According to Wolff, this poses a threat to the factory team. “Alpine started very early with a lot of aerodynamic test time because they were not strong in the championship last year. Williams is in a similar position. So you really are bringing the enemy into your own house,” says Wolff.
McLaren is currently the team to beat and the British racing team is likely to adapt well to the new rules. With several teams using the same engine package, Wolff sees 2026 as a season in which Mercedes must be extra sharp to win another championship. The Silver Arrows last did this in 2021.
