P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff explains F1 2026 car 400km/h claim that raised eyebrows
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has reiterated his claim that F1’s upcoming cars could potentially hit 400km/h on straightaways by 2026. He originally made this statement during an interview with Auto Motor Und Sport in the summer. The highest speed recorded in modern F1 was 378km/h by Valtteri Bottas in 2016. The new 2026 cars will have increased electrical energy capacity due to regulatory changes. Wolff clarified that achieving 400km/h would require deploying all available power at once but may sacrifice speed on subsequent straights. The 2026 F1 season promises significant changes with the introduction of new terminology like Overtake Mode and Boost Mode to enhance the racing experience.
