P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff is not taking past F1 power unit success for granted when preparing for the next engine overhaul at the start of the 2026 season.
Toto Wolff is staying tight-lipped about Mercedes’ preparations for the new F1 rules in 2026. The upcoming regulations will bring new chassis and engine specifications, prompting teams to focus on the next era. Out of the 10 teams in F1, six will produce power units, including Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Alpine, Aston Martin, and Audi. Despite past successes, Wolff remains cautiously optimistic about Mercedes’ progress, recognizing that past triumphs do not guarantee future success. He believes Mercedes is working diligently for the 2026 era, setting high and ambitious targets for a competitive power unit. However, the team faced challenges when rules changed significantly in the past, like with the reintroduction of ground effects in 2022. With anticipated changes in chassis rules for 2026, the power unit regulations are just one aspect to consider.
