Wolff: Mercedes' 2026 build‑up isn’t comparable to the 2014 winter

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the team’s prep for the 2026 regulation overhaul is far from the confident start they had in the 2014 winter. The Brackley squad ruled the previous hybrid era, but new rules and a tighter grid make rival assessment harder. Wolff stresses internal targets but admits the outcome is uncertain.

Why it matters:

• 2026 rules reshape car design, making past benchmarks less relevant.
• Mercedes’ edge came from early power‑unit work; losing it could shift the title fight.
• A tighter grid means any performance gap can translate directly into lost points and titles.

The details:

• 2026 rulebook adds active front/rear wing aero, a smaller chassis, and a power unit split 50% ICE/50% electric.
• Mercedes is finalising its chassis and power‑unit; no launch date yet, but development is “on track.”
• Red Bull will reveal its 2026 package on Jan 15; a closed‑door Barcelona test is set for Jan 26.
• Wolff says the 2014 winter gave Mercedes an advantage—full‑car dyno and day‑one testing—absent now.

What's next:

• Mercedes will use the Jan 26 Barcelona test to validate aero and power‑unit components and fine‑tune.
• The team aims for a car that can compete under the 50:50 ICE‑electric split, but Wolff stays “glass half‑empty” on opening‑race prospects.