Toto Wolff claims Mercedes will not ‘abandon’ 2025 car to capitalize on 2026 rule change

Toto Wolff affirmed that Mercedes had high ambitions which could not be met by giving up on the 2025 car's development.

Toto Wolff claims Mercedes will not ‘abandon’ 2025 car to capitalize on 2026 rule change

Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Mercedes have struggled in Formula 1 since the start of the ground-effect era. The Silver Arrows have won just a single race since 2021, courtesy of George Russell. The Brackley-based team had another disappointing start to its campaign this season. However, Team Principal Toto Wolff has made it clear that his tam will not give up on the current rule-set.

Formula 1 will introduce new regulations in 2026 including a new power units. This rule change could serve as the best opportunity for Mercedes to return back to the front of the grid. However, Toto Wolff affirmed that the Silver Arrows will not abandon the development of the 2025 car to put more resources into the new regulations.

We are Mercedes. We cannot completely abandon the current regulations.
Toto Wolff told PitDebrief.com
YouTube video

Wolff claimed that Mercedes was not satisfied racing in its current state without any real chances of race wins. The Austrian billionaire highlighted that the German carmaker and its sponsors had much higher ambitions. As such, the Silver Arrows will continue to push to the limit to get the most out of its car next season. It must be noted that F1 teams have not been allowed to start car development for the 2026 rules yet.

FS Video
And then continue to perform on the level we are at the moment. That's not the ambition of the brand. And our own. And our partners. I think you've got to continue to push. Continue to form your understanding.
Toto Wolff continued

Toto Wolff admits 2026 ‘the most realistic opportunity’ to defeat Red Bull

Despite Toto Wolff’s stance of not compromising car development for 2025, the Mercedes team boss admitted that the Silver Arrows would likely not outperform Red Bull next season. The Austrian billionaire claimed that the new regulations would give all teams the most realistic opportunity to end Max Verstappen‘s dominance.

Certainly not next year. But 2026 is a big reset. Which certainly provides the most realistic opportunity for any other team to beat Red Bull. But there is one and three quarters seasons before that.
Toto Wolff stated
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the COTA GP.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

However, Wolff highlighted that there was still over a season and a half left before the new rules. The 52-year-old hoped that he would not suffer more from the team’s ongoing struggles. The Mercedes team boss wanted to see his team have an upward trajectory in the next eighteen months with decent results.

And I don't want to go through much more suffering. In the next 18 months. I would just hope for highlights and a trajectory that's going upwards.
Toto Wolff concluded

Certainly, Mercedes is in a difficult spot with the current rules. Despite trying different design philosophies, the Silver Arrows failed to match Red Bull. However, Toto Wolff has once again put faith in the team’s efforts with its current car. As such, fans would be hoping to see the Brackley-based team potentially fight for a race win in the coming weeks.

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