Toto Wolff admits Formula 1\u2019s new-era quirks aren\u2019t perfect \u2014 but believes the on-track spectacle is already worth the trade-off.<\/p>\n
Formula 1\u2019s new regulations for F1 2026 have divided opinion, not only amongst the sport\u2019s fanbase but also in the paddock.<\/p>\n
Toto Wolff backs F1 2026 rules despite qualifying concerns<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n This season the Formula 1 cars are powered by a new engine formula, that incorporates an almost 50\/50 split between combustion and electrical power.<\/p>\n Harvesting, deployment and super clipping have become the buzzwords with battery power management key, not only to making a pass but also to preventing one.<\/p>\n It has led to three exciting races, and not just at the front of the field.<\/p>\n While Mercedes<\/a> and Ferrari traded positions in Australia and again in China, behind them the action was just as intense with Alpine and Haas deserving a notable mention for their back-and-forth at the Chinese Grand Prix. <\/p>\n Some love it, some hate it.<\/p>\n More on F1 2026 on PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Why F1 2026 power unit rules have delivered exactly what fans wanted<\/a><\/p>\n Why F1 2026 has killed qualifying, and why Sprint races are the future<\/a><\/p>\n The battles have been largely battery-dependent, with drivers choosing when and where to compromise their speed to achieve the next pass or to defend.<\/p>\n However, they\u2019ve also had to choose those moments in qualifying when it\u2019s all about lap time.<\/p>\n Super clipping on the straights as they downshift to harvest battery power is not what many in the paddock feel is Formula 1. Fans included. But it is today\u2019s Formula 1.<\/p>\n And Wolff reckons the pay-off has been two thrilling grands prix and an action-packed Sprint.<\/p>\n \u201cQualifying flat out would be nice,\u201d the Mercedes team principal admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cBut,\u201d he added, \u201cwhen you look at the fans and the excitement that is there live, the cheering when there\u2019s overtakes, and also on social media, the younger fans. The vast majority, through all the demographics, like the sport at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cSo yes, we can always look at how we improving it. But at the moment, all the indicators say and all the data say, people love it. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd that what I spoke with Stefano. He says that too. <\/p>\n \u201cSo it is driving the car that for some is not the most pleasant.\u201d<\/p>\n One driver who is enjoying the new era is Mercedes\u2019 George Russell.<\/p>\n The Briton, who won the Australian GP and the Sprint in China, leads the championship by 51 points to his teammate Kimi Antonelli\u2019s 47.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s different, it\u2019s definitely different. But I think the interesting thing with these regs is every track we go to, they\u2019re not always going to be like this.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s very quick to criticise things. You need to give it a shot, you know.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re 22 drivers. When we\u2019ve had the best cars and the least tyre degradation and when we\u2019ve been happiest, everyone moans the racing\u2019s rubbish. <\/p>\n \u201cNow drivers aren\u2019t perfectly happy and everyone said it was an amazing race. So, you can\u2019t have it all, and I think we should just give it a chance and see after a few more races.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n