Mercedes Chief Slams Rival Formula 1 Teams Over Engine Controversy
Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff has launched a blistering attack on rival squads, accusing them of seeking excuses before the 2026 season has even begun. The outburst comes amid reported objections from Ferrari, Honda, and Audi regarding the legality of Mercedes' new power unit.
Wolff's Fiery Response to 'Secret' Complaints
In characteristically direct language, Wolff told competitors to "get your act together" during recent media engagements. He expressed frustration at what he described as clandestine meetings and correspondence aimed at challenging Mercedes' technical approach.
"Doing secret meetings and sending secret letters and trying to invent ways of testing that don't exist... I can say, from us here, that we are trying to minimise distractions," Wolff stated. "But maybe we are all different? And maybe you want to find excuses before you have started?"
The Core of the Technical Dispute
The controversy centres on whether Mercedes has exploited a regulatory loophole in the new 2026 engine rules to increase compression ratios, potentially gaining a significant performance advantage. The power unit in question will be supplied not only to the Mercedes works team but also to customer outfits McLaren, Alpine, and Williams.
Red Bull's inaugural in-house engine development has also attracted scrutiny according to paddock reports, adding another layer to the pre-season technical discussions.
Regulatory Approval and Wolff's Defence
Wolff vehemently defended his team's position, emphasising that the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has thoroughly examined and approved the Mercedes power unit. "The power unit is legal and corresponds to how the regulations are written, and corresponds to the checks, and how they are measured," he asserted.
The Austrian team principal revealed that communication with motorsport's governing body had been consistently positive throughout the development process. "It was not only on compression ratio but on other things, too. And it is very clear what the regulations say, and very clear what the standard procedures are," Wolff added, expressing bewilderment at continued opposition.
Testing Context and Season Outlook
This technical row emerges following last week's testing session in Barcelona, where teams evaluated their 2026 cars for the first time under substantially revised engine regulations. The dispute highlights the intense competitive pressures as Formula 1 enters a new technical era.
Teams are scheduled to intensify their pre-season preparations next month with testing in Bahrain, building toward the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March. Wolff's comments suggest Mercedes will approach these sessions with confidence in their fully certified technical package, while challenging rivals to focus on their own development rather than questioning others' compliance.
