Toto Wolff thinks Max Verstappen has a clear ‘advantage’ with one 2026 F1 regulations issue

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Max Verstappen’s reign as the F1 champion met its end in 2025, and he will now have to hope that Red Bull can adapt to the 2026 regulations to fight for the title next year.

F1 is introducing arguably its biggest ever overhaul of the technical regulations in 2026, with the pinnacle of motorsport embracing active aerodynamics for the first time along with new engine rules. The 11 teams will also have to adapt to new chassis rules and tyres from Pirelli.

The 2026 F1 regulations were heavily based on the new engine rules, which will increase the electrical power from a 20/80 split with combustion power to 50/50. F1 will even adopt fully synthetic fuel in 2026, and Red Bull will also become an engine constructor for the first time.

Red Bull have parted from Honda, as the Japanese brand struck a deal to make Aston Martin their new works engine team. The Milton Keynes outfit have instead joined forces with Ford to harness the American giant’s expertise in hybrid technologies to help design their engine.

Toto Wolff expects Max Verstappen will have an ‘advantage’ managing his electrical engine power in 2026

Mercedes are widely expected to have the best 2026 F1 rules engine, with the Silver Arrows predicted to lead the field like they did upon the introduction of 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrids back in 2014. Another of the key changes for the 2026 engine rules is the removal of the MGU-H.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

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The increased electrical power is the biggest change with F1’s 2026 engine regulations. And Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expects drivers who enjoy using a simulator, like George Russell and Verstappen, will have an “advantage” managing their power output during 2026.

Wolff told Beyond The Grid: “We will be needing to compensate for a lack of electric power on every single lap, particularly on the ones with long straights. I think what we are seeing now, the strategies, it almost adds like a little chess component.

“Where is the driver going to deploy his energy? Who is better prepared? I think the sim driver generation will be in a good spot here. You look at George and his generation, Max, they work on the simulator and they enjoy that. It’s their generation.

“So, yes, I think whoever loves to be in the virtual world, be it on a rig at home or in a simulator in a factory, is going to have an advantage.”

Technical director Ben Hodgkinson believes Verstappen is “impressed” with Red Bull’s 2026 F1 engine after going through the team’s preliminary data with him. But it will not be clear which engine constructor has perfected the new regulations until the first race next March.

Lewis Hamilton’s dislike for driving in a simulator may put him at a disadvantage in 2026

While Wolff believes Russell and Verstappen may hold an “advantage” at the start of 2026 in terms of managing their energy deployment, the Mercedes chief’s belief could even suggest that Lewis Hamilton will be at a disadvantage as he does not like driving in the virtual world.

Hamilton stated back in 2020 that he is “not really interested” in simulated racing, given it is “very difficult” compared to the real thing. The seven-time champion even said in 2021 that he “hardly ever” drove on Mercedes’ simulator, and he only did around 20 laps a year on it.

Also, Ralf Schumacher has “heard” that Hamilton does not use Ferrari’s simulator that often, given he does not like driving in the virtual world. In contrast, the ex-Toyota ace understands that Charles Leclerc helps refine Ferrari’s set-ups and updates in their simulator “every day”.

Hamilton has driven Ferrari’s car for the 2026 F1 regulations in the simulator already, and he is said to have been pleased with his initial feelings. Yet the Briton could have to put in more hours in the simulator than he would ideally like to be ready for the new engine regulations.