Wolff fires back at rivals over engine scrutiny; Russell eyes Verstappen duel

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has launched a fierce defense of his team's 2026 power unit, telling rival teams to focus on their own performance rather than questioning the legality of the W17's engine. The comments came on a busy day that also saw Jenson Button join Aston Martin as an ambassador and drivers share their first impressions of the new-generation cars.

Why it matters:

Wolff's blunt criticism highlights the intense behind-the-scenes political and technical battles heating up before the 2026 season even begins. With major regulation changes, teams are scrutinizing every potential advantage, and Mercedes's strong stance signals confidence in its project while attempting to shut down external challenges before they gain momentum.

The details:

• Wolff's Defense: Wolff confirmed Mercedes has been in transparent dialogue with the FIA regarding its power unit and criticized rivals for sending "secret letters" to the governing body. He urged competitors to "get your s*** together" and focus on internal development instead of pushing for new, non-existent testing methods.
• Button's New Role: 2009 World Champion Jenson Button has joined Aston Martin as a team ambassador on a multi-year deal. He will represent the brand globally in marketing and media, partially reuniting him with former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.
• Russell's Title Ambition: George Russell, an early title favorite for 2026, expressed his desire for a head-to-head championship battle with Max Verstappen. He acknowledged Red Bull's impressive adaptation to the new regulations but relished the prospect of taking on the four-time champion.
• 2026 Car Demands: Drivers revealed the new cars require downshifting on straights and more lift-and-coast due to the increased reliance on electrical power, though initial concerns about severe "clipping" (speed loss from depleted batteries) appear manageable.
• Hamilton's Verdict: Lewis Hamilton stated he finds the 2026 cars "more enjoyable" than the previous ground-effect generation, describing them as oversteery, snappy, and easier to catch when sliding.

What's next:

The war of words over engine legality is unlikely to subside as pre-season continues, setting the stage for a tense technical and political season. All eyes will be on whether Mercedes's confidence translates to on-track performance and if the driver pairings of Russell-Hamilton and Verstappen-Perez can ignite the championship battle many are anticipating.