Wolff: Mercedes 'won't give up’ on winning ambitions ahead of 2026

40

Toto Wolff says he won’t let Mercedes slip into a holding pattern while waiting for Formula 1’s regulation changes in 2026, insisting the Brackley squad must not give up on its winning ambitions in the interim.

Mercedes finds itself in a precarious position as it seeks to reclaim its long-held dominance in the sport.

Despite its track record of success, the team has struggled to adapt to the new ground-effect regulations introduced in 2022, falling behind reigning world champions Red Bull.

The bulls’ technical lead over its rivals is such that few believe that the Milton Keynes-based outfit will surrender its supremacy before Grand Prix racing’s reset in 2026.

F1’s regulation overhaul in two years’ time could bring about a significant shift in the competitive landscape.

Read also:

Brundle: Mercedes clearly ‘not the force they were’

However, Wolff stresses that the team cannot rely solely on this reset and it must continue to push for improvement even in the face of adversity.

“I don't want to give up on the recovery and say, 'Well, let's wait for 2026, new car, new engine',” Wolff told Motorsport.com.

“There are two more important years to go. I want to see it as a testament for the strengths of the team that we are capable to recover and race for championships. That's our clear objective.”

Aston Martin's remarkable improvement last year over the winter leading up to the 2023 season, as well as McLaren's successful upgrade program for the MCL60, provided Mercedes with evidence that it is still possible to unleash a significant amount of performance from current-generation F1 cars.

But Wolff still believes that propelling Mercedes back to the top of the grid before 2026 is a tall order.

“Looking at the odds, very difficult,” he admitted. “Looking at performances of other teams, how Aston Martin has done over the winter, McLaren recovered a second with an upgrade they expected to come in at 0.25 seconds… There is a sweet spot that you need to find and that unlocks more potential.

“I think the biggest contributor is that the drivers start to have a car that they can trust, which they can't at the moment [with the outgoing Mercedes W14].”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.