Toto Wolff makes a ‘fascinating’ prediction after seeing Mercedes’ 2026 F1 rules car in the simulator

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Toto Wolff has shared his excitement for the upcoming Formula 1 season after seeing Mercedes’ brand new challenger in the simulator.

The new era of F1 regulations is now upon us, and given Mercedes’ record with previous regulatory overhauls involving a revised engine formula, they’re currently touted as one of the favourites for the title next year.

Toto Wolff has been careful not to hype things up too much and has rejected the current ‘word in the paddock’ that the Silver Arrows are developing the benchmark engine at their Brackley base.

However, Carlos Sainz shared a ‘positive’ update on the new power unit. He will be driving a Williams F1 car that is equipped with Mercedes’ new engine next year, and we could very well see him competing at the front again if the current speculation proves to be true.

• READ MORE: Ferrari are now lobbying the FIA about Mercedes using a ‘loophole’ in the 2026 F1 engine regulations

Toto Wolff has predicted a ‘fascinating’ F1 season next year after seeing Mercedes’ new F1 car in the simulator

During the Mercedes team principal’s end-of-year review on the team’s official YouTube channel, Wolff was asked for his expectations on the new season of racing, as well as whether he thinks the German constructor could return to their perch on top of the constructors’ standings.

He said, “We had a very successful spell over those years. We won eight championships, but we had difficult years that followed. One era ends, an era that we will be looking back on with a lot of positive memories.

“But now we are starting in the real hybrid era. We are driving 50% electric engines with sustainable fuel. And that almost gives it one notch of innovation more.

“And I just came out of the simulator watching the car drive. It’s going to be fascinating.”

Then asked to elaborate, Wolff added, “It adds a completely new dimension, of which you don’t lose that real racing.

“But energy deployment will be playing a massive part, and the intelligence of a driver, the driver who puts a lot of work into the preparation for the weekend. Just talk to them, they like it.”

• READ MORE: Bernie Collins thinks Mercedes have a 2026 engine advantage none of their F1 rivals can replicate

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Toto Wolff continues to play down talk of Mercedes being a dominant force again next year

Obviously, the team chief was also asked about the rumours that say Mercedes’ power unit will be superior to that of their rivals on the grid.

Wolff continued to be vague, but offered some insight into how they look to expand upon their first iteration of the F1 car throughout the season.

In response to a statement that says Mercedes will be strong, he replied, “Well, I would very much hope so, but I’m a notorious pessimist. The glass is always half empty, rather than half full.

“And we’ve set ourselves targets on the power unit and the same on the chassis. Whether those targets were ambitious enough, whether we have missed the trick, whether our execution is going to be as faultless as it should be.

“I don’t know. We’re going to see some glimpses of performance balance in testing late in January and then in Bahrain, obviously.

“But I think the name of the game is going to be the constant development of the tools throughout the season.”