Toto Wolff cites Niki Lauda advice when asked about switching focus to 2026 F1 cars

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The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are not far off becoming a reality, as they are set to be one of the biggest shakeups in a decade.

A meeting at the recent F1 Commission between FIA, teams and stakeholders confirmed that several amendments had been made to the 2026 technical regulations in “areas of performance, aerodynamics, and safety” for the latest draft.

Teams had been wary of making changes through October before they are set to be finalised, so they can begin work on their cars from January onwards.

Every team can start work on their chassis from that point for the following season, which is why they need to be set in stone. It presents a challenge for teams as they attempt to seek performance out of their current cars, while also planning for a big regulation change.

READ MORE: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes so far from engines to tyres

Discussing how Mercedes plans to approach the new regulations, team principal Toto Wolff has explained how he draws on advice he once received from Niki Lauda when speaking to Autosport.

Niki Lauda’s advice to Toto Wolff about F1 regulation changes

Mercedes has only just started to improve its form on track after a winless 2023 season and requires more upgrades to the W15 so they can keep up with rivals Red Bull and McLaren.

Technical director James Allison confirmed they have a ‘substantial’ upgrade planned for the next race in Austin, as they attempt to recapture their success midway through this season.

Despite requiring resources to be allocated to two different car design concepts, Wolff believes developing both in tandem without compromises will be possible.

“This is the crux of the matter every year, and especially if you have such a big regulatory change, are you going to compromise one year or the other?” said Wolff.

“But I’d like to take it from Niki’s [Lauda] motto, when being asked. ‘Would you rather win this one or the next one?’ And he says, ‘Both.’

“Sometimes it is much less complex than one thinks. Probably the transition of people and capability into the 2026 regulations is going to happen a bit earlier than it would under stable regulations, but it’s not going to be game-changing. Nobody’s going to switch the machines off in January, unless you are really nowhere.”

Toto Wolff shares the ‘extraordinary consequences’ of Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari

Mercedes is having to deal with another big change in the form of Lewis Hamilton exiting at the end of the season, as they make way for 18-year-old prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Charles Leclerc is confident that Ferrari can challenge for titles in 2025, as Hamilton attempts to win his eighth championship with the famous Italian team.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Wolff believes Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari will bring ‘extraordinary consequences’ in terms of publicity, which could distract from the team pulling off the job at hand.

Mercedes only has to focus on developing Antonelli into a world-class talent in his formative years with the team, while also ensuring that George Russell is still able to bring them a decent points haul and can fight with the lead pack.