Wolff dampens 2026 excitement as Mercedes evaluates wing.

      "We’re glad this ground-effect era has finally come to an end."

      Mercedes has provided the clearest indication of what to expect from Formula 1 in 2026 by testing a basic prototype active front wing during the post-season Abu Dhabi test. This development occurs as team principal Toto Wolff refuses to consider the Brackley-based team as the frontrunner for the upcoming rules era. The FIA-approved test component, which uses two exposed plastic tubes connected to the nose, enabled the wing to flatten during straight-line runs in a straightforward "straight-line mode." Ferrari has also tested its own more subtle variant.

      Pirelli’s Mario Isola mentioned that the work done by both teams is crucial after unveiling the new tyres for the next season on Tuesday: "The FIA has allowed the teams to develop a system that imitates the straight-line mode for the front wing."

      Despite this, Wolff dismissed the idea that the team is on the brink of another golden era like in 2014. "P2, P4, P3, P2 - that’s not a catastrophic outcome," Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport as the ground-effect cycle concluded with a fourth straight title drought. "However, we missed the chance to win a championship. We're pleased that this ground-effect era is over."

      The Austrian acknowledged that Mercedes never fully resolved the aerodynamic fundamentals of its cars. "The last race indicated that we still haven’t truly grasped these cars. We had a poor start in 2022, and while attempting to rectify the issues, new problems continued to emerge," said Wolff.

      However, he provided no excuses regarding the budget cap: "McLaren completely overhauled their car three years ago. Red Bull identified what wasn’t functioning and turned their situation around. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to achieve that in four years."

      Wolff stated that much of the team’s difficulty stemmed from inadequate tools, including wind tunnel and CFD models that did not align with reality. It was only in late 2025 that Mercedes felt assured the fundamental infrastructure was finally resolved.

      Nevertheless, he downplayed any comparisons to the lead-up to the dominant engine era of 2014. "I had a good feeling going into 2014," he admitted. "But that’s not comparable to the present. All teams are more well-prepared now."

      When asked if the 2026 car and new Mercedes power unit could bring the team back to the front, Wolff remained cautious: "I’m never optimistic. For me, the glass is always half empty. We’re heading in the right direction, but whether our ambitions are sufficient will only become clear with time."