Yesterday at 08:20
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is hopeful of a "classic"
Formula 1 title fight next season that would see "Italian versus
Italian". For 2026, F1 ushers in a new era of regulations, with the
power units switching to an equal split between combustion and
electric, whilst the cars will run on 100 percent sustainable
fuels. The rules have resulted in F1 attracting engine
manufacturing heavyweights, Audi and Ford, the latter partnering
with Red Bull Powertrains as the Milton Keynes-based squad
constructs its own PUs for the first time. There have been
suggestions that, as with the last major PU change ahead of the
2024 season, Mercedes again has the edge. Wolff, though, has poured
cold water on the suggestion. "It's all rumours, we know absolutely
nothing," he said, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport . "I expect
Ferrari to be very competitive, and Honda has shown how strong they
are. I expect a lot from them with Aston Martin. "Then there's Red
Bull with their new engines, and then Audi. Everyone wants to be
ready and competitive, and we'll see who's done the best job."
[Article continues below] Wolff: The duel is coming If Mercedes
does return to the head of F1 affairs, as it did in 2014 when it
ruled the roost for eight years as a constructor, Wolff knows which
team he would love to go up against - Ferrari! The Austrian also
feels it would set up an intriguing battle of the storied Italian
team, with a line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, against
the rising Italian talent in Kimi Antonelli, who has endured a
tough period of late, but who many people believe will one day go
on to become F1 champion. Asked as to who he would prefer as his
opponent next season, should Mercedes be out front, Wolff replied:
"The answer is simple: Ferrari. "Seeing Ferrari against Mercedes
would be fantastic. A classic! And then Lewis and Charles against
Kimi and George, an incredible challenge. "An Italian driver
against an Italian car: can you imagine that? "I have no doubt this
duel is coming, next year or in the future. We'll see it, and it
will be fantastic."
