F1's 2026 Revolution: Wolff Warns Against 2031 Speculation

F1's 2026 Revolution Wolff Cautions: "Too Soon" to Debate 2031 F1 Engines

Toto Wolff urges focus on F1’s 2026 hybrid era, dismissing early discussions on 2031 engines as premature amid evolving regulations.

Toto Wolff is eager to know what power units will be used in Formula 1 after 2030. Next year, the hybrid V6 engines will evolve, but the Mercedes F1 team principal is already thinking ahead to the next set of regulations.

“It’s a five-year cycle, regulations are in place,” Wolff said. “We are discussing what comes next. Whether it’s a V8, which we like a lot and may be more relevant for the road than a V10 in the future. I think these are exciting discussions.”

“What type of hybrid system could play a role? Will our sound increase? All of this makes for an interesting conversation within the regulatory cycle, and it’s worth having.”

“But for now, I think it’s a bit premature, and we risk diluting the message we are sending to the world. A year before even implementing these exciting new regulations, we’re already talking about something that won’t last.”

However, the Austrian is already pleased to see hybrid regulations evolving in 2026: “First and foremost, we should appreciate the new regulations coming into effect next year.”

“We should talk about it. This is our sport, and it’s important to be positive about the arrival of such an exciting engine in the car. We are pushing the boundaries of battery technology and sustainability. This is the first year we are using fully synthetic fuel.”

“No one knows how all of this will unfold, but it’s truly exciting. Formula 1 is pure madness. All stakeholders should embrace it. Ensuring that the sport is seen as the high-tech discipline it should be, rather than being driven by opportunities, is the priority.”

His counterpart at Ferrari, Fred Vasseur, is not ready to discuss it yet: “It is still too early to talk about the engine regulations we will have from 2031. We have not yet introduced the next generation of power units, and there are still huge questions on the table regarding this.”

“We should focus on that first. I’m sure discussions about the future will come, but for now, we need to concentrate on the next stage of engine development.”