P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff believes there is one major risk facing F1 teams ahead of the radical rules overhaul coming into force for 2026.
Toto Wolff believes the “biggest risk” for F1 teams in 2026 is the possibility that their simulations and tests may not align with reality before the radical rule changes.
The upcoming season will see the most significant technical regulation overhaul in the history of the world championship, with major changes to both chassis and power unit rules.
The new chassis will include active aerodynamics, while the power units will have upgraded electrical systems producing 350kw of battery power, a substantial increase from 120kw in the previous year, and the removal of the MGH-H.
Although Mercedes is seen as a favorite due to their success with turbo hybrids in 2014, they faced challenges in 2022 with the ground-effect regulations.
Wolff emphasized the importance of the new cars performing well on the track to truly know their capabilities, highlighting the need for accurate data and a strong team dynamic to make successful decisions.
He stressed the critical role of collaboration, data accuracy, and effective infrastructure in ensuring the car’s virtual representation matches reality, as this discrepancy poses the biggest risk for any team aiming for competitiveness in the championship.
