F1 Today | 'Horner got vain', Mercedes doesn't worry about 2026 regulations

22:01, 20 Jul

Updated: 22:10, 20 Jul

bySavannah Lenz

Missed out on July 20th's Formula 1 news? Don't fret! GPBlog has you covered with the three top stories from today!

'Horner let attention get to his head'

On the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Ralf Schumacher and Peter Hardenacke discussed the possibility of Christian Horner being vain. Hardenacke felt as if Drive to Survive might have had something to do with I,t as Schumacher mentioned how normal it is to get swept away in the spotlight.

"You can hold it against him — I'd argue you could even somewhat justify it, because at some point, it just becomes too much for one person. Don't forget: everyone is singing your praises. And Red Bull with Max Verstappen, that was of course incredibly successful. The success can easily go to your head."

Schumacher was even able to recall a time when Mercedes team principal and CEO recieved a TV special but not Horner.

'Will explode with Verstappen inside'

Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg commented on the current state of Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen. On the Nailing the Apex podcast, he said that Red Bull Racing needs to be able to prove to Verstappen that they can build him a championship-winning car for next year.

He also mentioned Red Bull Racings new engine project for 2026. Which is a concern according to Valkenburg.

He said, "There is doubt about the engine program, there's doubt about the technical leadership under Pierre Waché. And nothing Red Bull right now can show or tell Verstappen will change that narrative all too much."

If Red Bull Racing underperforms against Mercedes, Valkenburg said, "That team will explode with Verstappen inside."

Wolff on fierce 2026 competition

Toto Wolff has hit back on those who are pointing fingers at Mercedes power units for 2026.

Speaking to GPblog and others, "The fans need to enjoy watching Formula 1, and Formula 1 needs to stay true to itself that it's a high-performance sport."

He also said, "The best man and best machine wins, so this is what we need to deliver: good racing."

There have been early rumblings that Mercedes will have the strongest power unit but Wolff says,

"Looking at simulations of today, it's very difficult to exactly know how it's going to be next year. It's a super challenging new regulation in making those energy levels last throughout the lap on some of the tracks."