Toto Wolff claims ‘90%’ of Formula 1 fans like the 2026 regulations despite Mercedes dominance
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has claimed that an overwhelming majority of Formula 1 fans like the new regulations, despite recent criticism from drivers and his team’s start to the season.
Many people backed Mercedes as the clear favourite for the 2026 championship, with rumours suggesting that they had the best power unit. There was huge scepticism around the new ruleset, particularly with energy management and reliability.
The 2026 F1 regulations have certainly produced some exciting racing thus far, with many more overtakes compared to 2025. However, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc think the overtakes are ‘artificial’ due to drivers preserving the battery during races.
Max Verstappen has bashed the new regulations since they were first introduced. He is not happy with the rule changes, saying it is not pure racing as Red Bull struggle to get two cars to the chequered flag.
F1 fans and experts are still sceptical about the regulations as the sport heads to the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. But Mercedes boss Wolff believes that most people are in favour of them.
Toto Wolff says ‘90%’ of fans like the 2026 regulation changes
As anticipated, the Silver Arrows have been the dominant force in 2026. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have commanded the opening two races, winning in Australia and China, respectively, with 1-2 finishes.
Ferrari factory staff have already given up on 2026 amid Mercedes’ dominance, with the data showing that Wolff’s team have a clear advantage. There are multiple sceptics surrounding the rule changes, but the Austrian is adamant that it is the right direction.
Speaking to oe24, Wolff boldly claimed that as many as ‘90%’ of F1 fans like the regulations, whilst also stressing that the opinions of ‘traditionalists’ should be respected.
“Not everyone’s complaining, but some drivers are having problems with the complex electronic management,” he said. “The main target group, however, is the fans, and over 90 percent of them think we now have entertaining racing: entertaining and exciting.
“In sports, you always have to evolve. You should respect both sides: the opinions of the traditionalists who want the sport to stay the way it used to be, and those of the new fans who say: ‘We actually like it the way it is now, and that’s how it should stay.’
“We have to evaluate what’s best for F1 and its fans. At the moment, we see a clear direction.”
Toto Wolff is not worried about F1 getting ‘boring’ amid Mercedes’ start to 2026
Many teams and drivers are calling for changes to the current ruleset, but the FIA are not set to make any changes until 2027. As Mercedes dominate the field, Wolff is not worried about F1 becoming predictable.
“The first two races paint a completely different picture,” he added. “I’m not worried that it could get boring. We have good pace, but so does Ferrari.
“McLaren will catch up, and the others will quickly learn about engine management. We’re seeing extremely exciting and spectacular racing not only at the front between us and Ferrari, but also in the midfield with the most overtaking manoeuvres.
“What we might still be able to refine is the qualifying format, where we should reduce the energy management a bit. That’s something we’re working on.”
Max Verstappen warned why F1 retirement talk will ‘work against him’ at Red Bull
The 28-year-old threw his toys out of the pram throughout a disappointing weekend for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix last time out. Verstappen started the Suzuka affair by kicking a journalist out of his pre-event press conference, before he derided the rules and the RB22.
Verstappen called the Red Bull RB22 “undriveable” after qualifying in Japan, having failed to reach a Q3 session at Suzuka for the first time since 2015. The Dutchman then raised doubts over his time on the grid, as Verstappen declared that he has to “figure out” his future in F1.
After finishing the Japanese GP in P8, having failed to overtake Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, the Red Bull racer even doubled down on his threats to retire at the end of 2026. The 71-time Grand Prix winner said he must decide “is it worth it?” to stay, given he hates the new engine rules.
Max Verstappen risks demoralising Red Bull’s engineers by threatening to retire from F1
But former BMW and Ferrari F1 engineer Ernest Knoors fears Verstappen threatening to use the release clause in his Red Bull contract to retire this year risks demoralising the engineers in Milton Keynes. No matter how frustrated Verstappen may be, he has to keep them happy.
“You are part of a team,” Knoors told RacingNews365. “Max is part of the Red Bull team. I understand Max’s personal frustration very well, that this is not his style of racing.
“But you are also a team leader. You are the one who converts the hard work of a thousand men and women into results every weekend.
“I understand that frustration is involved, but ultimately, you want those thousand people to do their best. And do you achieve that by saying every weekend, ‘I don’t feel like doing this, and it’s not fun?’
“I think that will work against him at some point, and he needs to be a bit careful with that. As the figurehead of Red Bull, you have to ensure that your team is motivated and working in the right direction.”
Alpine release statement on online abuse…
But will fans continue to blame the team given Briatore’s controversial past?
Verstappen will have from August to October to use his release clause, which hinges on him ranking outside the top two in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break. It is very likely that the 48-time polesitter will get the right to walk away from Red Bull if he decides to, too.
The early-season form of Mercedes, and to a lesser extent Ferrari, will likely see Verstappen struggle to break into the title race by the summer break. Also, it is said that Red Bull do not have the money to improve the RB22 without them using funds reserved for their 2027 car.
It has also been reported that Red Bull are already discussing abandoning the RB22, as they no longer trust the project after seeing Verstappen and Isack Hadjar struggle over the early rounds. The RB22 has atrocious balance problems that further worsen Verstappen’s mood.
