P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was in a sombre mood when addressing media ahead of the 2026 season.
Toto Wolff is cautious about Mercedes’ prospects in 2026 due to the team’s previous struggles with rule changes and the challenges faced in the new era.
Mercedes had been dominant under the previous engine rules but faced difficulties adapting to the ground-effect regulations in 2022, leading to a shift in performance.
Despite Mercedes’ success in finishing as runner-up in some ground-effect years, the team experienced a winless season in 2023 for the first time in over a decade.
After positive pre-season testing in 2026, Wolff remains pragmatic, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and wary of setting unrealistic expectations.
Wolff’s approach is focused on building a car capable of fighting for championships while maintaining a skeptical mindset to avoid disappointment if performance falls short.
