Toto Wolff Begins F1 Mind Games with Bold Red Bull 'Benchmark' Claim
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has ignited the psychological warfare ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season by declaring rivals Red Bull Ford have established the early "benchmark" for performance. Wolff's comments followed the first pre-season testing session in Bahrain, where he witnessed the impressive output of Red Bull's new power unit.
Red Bull's Power Unit Impresses in Bahrain Testing
Wolff's assessment marks a significant shift from earlier pre-season expectations. Mercedes had emerged as the favourite after a five-day shakedown event in Barcelona during January, demonstrating strong reliability and outright speed in Spain. However, it was Red Bull who captured attention in Bahrain, with Wolff conceding their engine has produced the best performance observed so far this year.
"I was hoping that they were worse than they are, because they've done a very good job," Wolff admitted after the initial testing session this week. "The car, the power unit are the benchmark at the moment, I would say. And then obviously you have Max in the car. That combination is strong."
New Regulations and Energy Deployment Edge
The 2026 season introduces new power unit regulations, making this pre-season one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Red Bull has partnered with American automotive giant Ford to develop its own power unit, a move that appears to be paying early dividends. Both Red Bull and Mercedes have faced complaints from rival engine manufacturers about alleged regulatory loopholes, though Wolff has previously dismissed these concerns.
The Austrian team principal specifically highlighted Red Bull's "energy deployment" capabilities as a key differentiator. "Look at the energy deployment today. They are able to deploy far more energy on the straights than everybody else," Wolff explained. "On a single lap we've seen it before, but now we've seen it on 10 consecutive laps with the same kind of straight-line deployment. I would say that as of today, which is the first official day of testing – which is always with the caveat of that – they've set the benchmark."
Testing Schedule and Season Outlook
Pre-season testing in Bahrain continues on Thursday, 12 February and Friday, 13 February, with an additional three sessions scheduled between 18 and 20 February. The 2026 F1 season officially commences with the first race on Sunday, 8 March in Melbourne, Australia.
While Mercedes driver George Russell remains among the favourites for the championship, Wolff's comments suggest Red Bull, with Max Verstappen at the wheel, may have gained an early technical advantage. The psychological games have clearly begun, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely competitive season under the new regulatory framework.
