Why Toto Wolff thinks F1 2026 critics "should hide"…

Formula 1 rolled out drastic regulation changes in 2026, which initially sparked a mixed response among drivers and fans. But now, after implementing tweaks to the new rules at the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes that anyone caught complaining about the racing “should hide”.

The new regulations brought smaller, lighter cars to the track, which are now powered by hybrid engines that rely on a near-50:50 split in electric and combustion power. It's this change to the power units that drew the most fervour as it led to an increase in lifting and coasting, and super clipping to ensure drivers had sufficient battery power to complete each lap.

Changes were rolled out in Miami following meetings with F1, the FIA and various stakeholders, and Wolff believes the changes were positive come Sunday.

“If there's one single person that complains about the race today, I think they should hide, honestly,” the Mercedes boss told reporters after the Miami GP.

“Now, obviously this track is a little bit easier, it's not so energy stuffed. There's good games and there's bad games, so I think that was great, great advertising for Formula 1.”

Ahead of the race, the FIA implemented changes to attempt to appease some complaints about the new regulations, including claims that most overtakes in 2026 were “artificial” and that drivers could no longer push flat out.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was back on top on Sunday in Miami (Photo by: CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)

The tweaks included increasing super clipping to the full 350 kilowatts, which should make the speed profile of the new cars more predictable, and lowering the harvesting limit from eight to seven megajoules in qualifying, which will make the cars slower, but should make qualifying more on the limit.

But before the changes could be put to the test in the grand prix, it was revealed that F1 is already considering changing the engine rules for next year in favour of a 60/40 split between hybrid and electric power. However, Wolff believes it is still far too soon to start talking about further changes to the regulations.

“Whoever talks about changing engine regs in the short-term should question his way of assessing Formula 1 at that stage,” The Mercedes boss added. "So spectacular race. Fight for the lead, fight in the midfield.

“It's splendid. Can we tweak it and optimise it in the midterm? I think absolutely. We would never be against making the show even better. I'm thinking about SM modes [straightline modes]. I think we need much more straightline speed with the SM modes. We need to be courageous on doing that.

"In the midterm we are not opposed. Whether we could extract a bit more performance out of the ICE... Great. Give us enough lead time so we can actually do it.”