Wolff Says Mercedes Isn’t Guaranteed Power Unit Advantage Under 2026 Rules

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has responded to widespread chatter in the paddock suggesting that his squad’s power unit will be the benchmark under the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations. Despite the buzz, Wolff insists there’s no certainty Mercedes will enjoy outright superiority in the new hybrid era.

With the sport’s power units now set to split output evenly between internal combustion and electric systems, many insiders have tipped Mercedes High-Performance Powertrains as a favourite to lead — in part because the team is supplying engines to multiple outfits including McLaren, Williams and Alpine. However, Wolff has played down the hype, pointing out that such predictions are speculative until on-track data becomes available.

Appearing on a prominent motorsport podcast, Wolff emphasised that Mercedes doesn’t take for granted that its engine will be the strongest. He noted that other teams with Mercedes-supplied units, such as McLaren, have outperformed the factory squad in recent seasons, illustrating that power alone does not guarantee competitive advantage.

Wolff also highlighted how rumours of superiority can be misleading, with various teams or partners potentially pushing narratives that Mercedes is the benchmark — even though rivals are investing heavily and may have uncovered their own innovations. The team principal warned that until testing and race results are clear, no assumptions should be made about performance order.

His comments reflect a cautious tone from Mercedes as Formula 1 prepares for one of its most significant technical overhauls in years — with dramatic changes to engine and car design set to shake up the competitive landscape in 2026.