mobile app bar

Toto Wolff Reveals ‘Lap Times Up to Ten Seconds Slower’ Under 2026 Regulations

Somin Bhattacharjee
Published

Toto Wolff’s Biggest Mercedes “Headache” Analysed- And It’s Not Their Performance

The 2026 regulations are set to shake up the grid, with cars set to undergo another radical alteration. The changes are set to be engine-specific, but it could take a turn for the worse, pace-wise. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff at least, is not very confident on that front.

As reported by Formel1, Wolff thinks that the 2026 cars will be far too slow. Mercedes, like others, are working on the same in their factory and the signs are not very promising. “We have lap times that are up to ten seconds slower in some cases,” Wolff said.

For F1 as a whole, this will be a concerning change, as speed is one of the major things that makes this discipline stand out in the world of motorsports.

Wolff, however, reaffirms his faith in the engineers in F1. “Formula 1 has always been an innovation incubator….. The cars will definitely become fast again,” the Austrian added.

Whether this change makes for a better viewing spectacle or not, remains unknown. But, Wolff insists on the fact that for those watching races on their TVs, the fact that F1 cars could be 10 seconds slower, won’t make much of a difference.

“No difference for television viewers” – Wolff

F1 cars are meant to look and sound fast. This is something that has often been reiterated by the fanbase, especially after quieter V6 turbo-hybrid engines came into F1 in 2014. Wolff’s latest comments seem to suggest that he too, believes in the spectacle aspect of the sport.

With the 2026 regulations, F1 cars will still be faster than any other cars in any other series around the world. Wolff’s admission to the car’s being 10 seconds slower was purely in relative terms.

“It’s still much faster than anything else out there, and you have to leave the church in the village,” he said. “There is no difference for the television viewer. The IndyCars look fast, but they are 20 seconds slower.”

Mercedes and Wolff will be hoping that the 2026 regulations solidify them as Championship contenders once again. But the way things are developing for the Brackley-based outfit now, they could be headed in that direction sooner.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

x-iconinstagram-iconlinkedin-icon

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

Share this article