Toto Wolff has labeled the latest rumor about a potential change to the Formula 1 engine regulations for 2026 as a ‘joke’. Reportedly, the F1 Commission will discuss possible solutions to concerns that the cars will repeatedly run out of electric power next year during its next meeting. “Reading the agenda of the F1 Commission is almost hilarious,” Wolff said.
In the run-up to the GP Bahrain, the FIA already held a meeting with various engine manufacturers about a possible return of the V10 engines. However, during this meeting, it was decided to stick to the current engine plans for 2026 for the time being. These engines have a 50/50 distribution between the combustion engine and the battery.
However, simulations showed that on circuits like Monza, with many long straights, the cars could run out of electric power. Therefore, during the race weekend in Jeddah, rumors circulated that the next meeting of the F1 Commission will discuss reducing the power of the battery to 200kw during races.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, is not at all a fan of the proposal. “Reading the F1 commission’s agenda is almost as hilarious as reading some of the comments I see on Twitter about American politics,” the team boss tells the media. “I really want to protect ourselves and not comment, but it’s a joke. A week ago there was an engine meeting (in Bahrain) and now these kinds of things are back on the agenda.”
‘Mercedes Very Confident’
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, in turn, responds to his competitor’s statements. “Mercedes seems very confident about the work they have done for next year.” Unlike the Austrian, the Brit is in favor of the proposal. “The FIA has done research and what they desperately want to prevent is a lot of ‘lifting-and-coasting’ during Grands Prix, which is not good for the sport. It’s not something we’ve lobbied for or asked for, and if they do it in the interest of the sport, then you should support it.”
