F1 plans to ‘act with a scalpel and not a baseball bat’ with rule changes – Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says discussions between Formula 1's key stakeholders regarding rule changes have been constructive as they all seek precise tweaks that will have the desired impact. 

The FIA is set to ratify any changes to the regulations today, with an e-vote of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) planned following a final meeting involving the teams. The main topics of focus have been how drivers have to approach a qualifying lap, and any potential safety improvements relating to closing speeds. Wolff said all involved have been keen to harness some of the better aspects of the 2026 regulations.

“I must really say that the discussions that have been taking place between the group of drivers, the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams have been constructive and we all share the same objectives,” Wolff said. “How can we improve the product, make it out and out racing and look at what can improve in terms of safety, but act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.

“So, I think we're coming to good solutions that we're going to ratify hopefully today in order to evolve, because it's only three races, and in a way we need to learn from the past where sometimes decisions were made in an erratic way and then we overshot and realized it wasn't good.

“And because we are custodians of the sport... in that respect I am carefully optimistic that we're going to… align the aforementioned objectives, whilst keeping the racing really good.”

Wolff also acknowledged there has been a need for Mercedes not to try and defend its own interests, in the same way rivals have had to avoid trying to take advantage of the potential for changes. To that end, he said there will be no aversion to making further changes in the future if they’re deemed necessary, as long as everyone continues working together to improve the current rules.

“I think that [it’s positive] if you have aligned objectives and you define those objectives at the beginning, and that is how can we work on making qualifying more spectacular, enjoyable for the drivers, how can we tackle safety objectives and at the same time protect what's really good within the racing, the overtaking," he said.

“And that's why those steps look like they are in the right direction, not overshooting, not undershooting - but if you come to the conclusion further down the line that we need to maybe redefine the objectives then so be it. But at the moment that's carved out in a pretty clear way, and that's good.”