Toto Wolff brands proposed power shift a joke, reigniting tensions around the FIA’s push to shake up future race dynamics.
Mercedes F1 has fiercely criticized a new proposal aimed at tweaking the 2026 engine regulations, calling it a “farce” and warning that such moves could undermine the future of the sport.
The controversy centers around a proposed change that would limit engine power during races — not during qualifying — in an effort to ensure better on-track action. Specifically, it suggests shifting the current 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and electric systems to a new 66/34 ratio in favor of combustion.
This idea, due to be discussed at next week’s F1 Commission meeting, hasn’t gone down well with Mercedes.
Reading the agenda for the F1 Commission meeting is “almost as funny as some of the stuff I read on Twitter about US politics,” joked Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. “I really want to stay out of this, but it’s a farce.”
“There was a power unit meeting just last week in Bahrain. Now suddenly we’re back to this again,” Wolff added, clearly frustrated by the lack of consistency.
On the other hand, McLaren — a customer team using Mercedes engines — seems more open to the idea of evolving the rules, if it means better racing overall.
“My position is very clear,” said McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella. “Everyone involved in Formula 1 has a responsibility to make the 2026 regulations a success.”
“There’s no point in having teams battling each other if the racing itself isn’t great. The quality of the show depends on the product — both the chassis and the power unit. That’s why we need to keep the conversation going.”
He emphasized the importance of discussing the details: energy recovery, deployment, overtaking — all the elements that shape what fans see on track.
“We’re not talking about changing the hardware. But if we can improve how we use it to enhance the racing, then it’s something we must consider,” Stella said.
“And when I say ‘we’, I mean F1, the FIA, and the teams. It’s not about pushing our own agendas — it’s about doing what’s best for the sport.”
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Wolff Rages at F1’s 2026 Power Split ‘U-turn’
Wolff Rages at F1’s 2026 Power Split ‘U-turn’
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