Wolff Defends F1 2026 Regs After Miami GP

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff issued a sharp rebuke to critics of Formula 1's 2026 technical regulations following a thrilling Miami Grand Prix, where tweaks to the rules produced a race filled with overtakes and battles across the field.

The Miami event, held last weekend around Hard Rock Stadium, marked the first grand prix under recent FIA adjustments aimed at addressing early-season complaints about battery management, lifting and coasting, and excessive closing speeds. Changes included raising superclipping limits to 350 kilowatts for more predictable car speeds and reducing energy harvesting in qualifying from eight to seven megajoules. Kimi Antonelli secured victory for Mercedes, with four different leaders and intense midfield fights highlighting the action. Wolff, speaking to reporters afterward, said, "If there’s one single person that complains about the race today, I think they should hide, honestly." He noted the track's relative ease on energy demands but called the result "great advertising for Formula 1."

The 2026 regulations introduced smaller, lighter cars powered by hybrid engines with a near 50-50 split between combustion and electric power. Initial...