Wolff: Mercedes favourites for 2026? Just gossip, we know nothing

With McLaren dominating the final year of ground effect cars, Mercedes team principal and Wolff welcomed the coming reset but warned that nobody knows who will come out on top: “From Mercedes' point of view, I'm very happy that the ground effect era is coming to an end.

“Are we the favourites for 2026? That's just gossip. We don't know anything. I expect Ferrari to be very competitive, and Honda has shown how strong it is. I expect a lot from them with Aston Martin. Then there's Red Bull with their new engines, and Audi. Everyone wants to be ready and competitive. We'll see who has done the best job," said Wolff.

McLaren have already all but clinched both Formula 1 world titles in 2025, with Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri set to be Champion, and of course, combining to play a key role in wrapping up the Constructors’ crown in due course.

This will be McLaren's second in two seasons. The glorious MCL39 is near unbeatable on all circuit types, leaving rivals scrambling for answers and placing even more emphasis on the incoming regulation overhaul for them.

Mercedes, without a win this year, have struggled to match McLaren’s consistency and development pace, while Ferrari’s highlights have been few, and Red Bull's early form with Max Verstappen has evaporated. Needless to say for these powerhouses of F1, 2026 is viewed as a critical reset.

Looking ahead, Wolff also expressed enthusiasm for a future rivalry between Mercedes and Ferrari, naming it as his ideal championship battle for the next generation: “If I could choose who I'd like to fight with in 2026, I'd say Ferrari.

"Seeing Ferrari against Mercedes would be fantastic, a classic. Hamilton and Leclerc against Antonelli and Russell would be an incredible challenge. We'd also have an Italian driver against an Italian car. I have no doubt that this duel will take place, next year or in the future. We'll experience it, and it will be fantastic.”

Wolff’s words highlight the level of anticipation already building for 2026, when new power unit and chassis regulations are expected to shake up the grid. With Hamilton and Leclerc anchoring Ferrari, and George Russell set to lead Mercedes alongside 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, the battle lines are already being drawn.

For now, Wolff insists that talk of Mercedes dominance is premature. But the ambition is clear: after two years without a win, Mercedes are targeting not just a recovery, but a return to the front—against the most iconic opponent of all.