Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff elaborates on his earlier findings about the 2026 cars. The Austrian concluded that a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour is certainly possible with the next generation of racing cars, although he now adds that very specific conditions are required for this. ‘I meant it semi-sarcastically,’ Wolff explains.
There are only nine Grand Prix left before Formula 1 enters a new era. In 2026, a new regulation for both the engine and the chassis will come into effect. Although there are still many uncertainties about the upcoming season – which team will have their car in the best shape? – Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff already saw something he liked. If the new cars make full use of their power, a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour can be achieved.
‘Wanted to find something positive’
However, Max Verstappen was not convinced by the findings of the Mercedes team boss. “Maybe Toto’s engine can do that itself,” he joked in Zandvoort. Wolff himself also revisits his earlier comment. “That sounds good, doesn’t it? Everyone is trying to put the new power sources in a bad light, so I wanted to see if I could find something positive,” says the Austrian. “And there is.”
Wolff then explains that the 400 kilometers per hour seems to be the maximum achievable for now. “I meant it semi-sarcastically. But if you were to use all the energy on one straight stretch, you could really make that car drive 400 km/h. I don’t know if anyone was really scared when they heard it, but it would be possible. Then there wouldn’t be much energy left for the rest of the round.” The current record for the highest speed driven by a Formula 1 car is held by Valtteri Bottas. The Finn reached 378 kilometers per hour during the 2016 GP Mexico.
