Toto Wolff soothes severe F1 concern as alarm bells sounded

Toto Wolff has soothed the growing concerns of F1's new 2026 rules, saying "everybody will get used to it."

For 2026, the power units and chassis are both being revamped with active aerodynamics and increased electrical energy, respectively, the biggest changes.

From next season, the performance from the power units will be generated in a 50-50 split between internal combustion power and electrical energy, but there are fears that cars could run out of electrical energy on circuits with long straights, such as at Monza.

This would see the car then revert to ICE power only, meaning F2 cars would generate more horsepower than an F1 car in such a condition.

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner was one figure calling for a reduction of the electrical energy dependence to avoid such scenes, but Wolff feels F1 should embrace the new rules, and simply get on with it.

"I think the fans need to enjoy watching Formula 1, and Formula 1 needs to stay true to itself that it's a high-performance sport," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365. 

"The best man and best machine wins, so this is what we need to deliver: good racing. 

"Some cars have been good fun for the drivers to drive. Some tyres have been good fun, others not. So, in a way, everybody will get used to it.

"Looking at simulations of today, it's very difficult to exactly know how it's going to be next year. It's a super challenging new regulation in making those energy levels last throughout the lap on some of the tracks. Clearly, at the moment, it's still challenging.

"But the pace of innovation is huge, and it's always been the case in Formula 1. I believe that we are on the right trajectory. 

"At the moment, yes, driving these cars, there will be outliers of tracks that are clearly very, very different to what it is today.

"But you ask a driver for a good car, give him the strongest, grippiest, less degrading tyres, 1000 horsepower, naturally aspirated V12, and that's what they're going to love. We're just in a different era now."