Recently Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff said that F1 cars would be able to reach 400 kph under the upcoming 2026 regulations. He now doubles down on said claims quipping "some folks maybe got afraid."
Ahead of the implementation of the 2026 F1 engine regulations, the paddock is buzzing with theories that argue against the upcoming power units, with most speaking of speed dwindling down as the cars make it past the main straights.
Others have also suggested that the battery deployment throughout the lap would be inconsistent.
In light of that, Mercedes team principal Wolff, an ardent advocate of the regulation change that is set to be premiered next year, explains the reasoning behind his 400kph claim.
Speaking during the Dutch Grand Prix, the Austrian asked almost defiantly: "It sounds good, no?
"Everybody's talking those engines down, so I had to figure out, is there anything positive?," Wolff pondered on a more serious note.
'400 kph can be achieved, did someone get scared'
"And that is. If you were to deploy all the energy on a single straight, you could make those cars go 400 kilometers an hour.
"I don't know if somebody got afraid by it, but we could.
However, he did nuance that such speeds would then come at a costly price.
"But there wouldn't be much electric energy left for the other few corners on a track."
F1 drivers reacted to Wolff's claims ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. You can read their thoughts here.
Read also
Popular on GPBlog
Hadjar brief on Red Bull Racing possibility: 'I'm used to not knowing'
Max Verstappen out of action post-FP1 in bizarre incident
Leclerc refuses to talk about 'illegal' Ferrari rumours
