Wolff halts Mercedes' side projects during title drought.
"This was the first time that we didn’t get it right."
Toto Wolff has announced that Mercedes is discontinuing its diversification efforts and is concentrating solely on Formula 1 as the team prepares for a significant reset under the 2026 regulations. In an interview with Forbes, the Mercedes team principal confirmed that activities outside of F1, such as participation in the America’s Cup and technology consulting, are being scaled back after several seasons without a world title.
"We don’t want to do this anymore," Wolff stated plainly. "We’re a Formula 1 racing team. We don’t want to go sailing. We don’t want to venture into other sports. Our complete focus is on Formula 1."
After dominating the sport from 2014 to 2020, Mercedes has experienced a complete regulatory cycle from 2022 to 2025 without winning a championship, even after securing its eighth consecutive constructors' championship the year prior to the ground-effect era.
Wolff acknowledged, "This was the first time that we didn’t get it right" regarding the 2022 reset. Nevertheless, Mercedes is currently valued at approximately $6 billion, positioning it alongside Ferrari at the pinnacle of the sport’s financial landscape.
Wolff himself has reaped significant rewards, with his stake valued at around $2.5 billion. However, his focus remains on the new regulatory reset for 2026, which includes a shift to 100 percent sustainable fuel and a new hybrid power unit format.
"That is what Formula 1 stands for," he remarked. "Innovation, high tech, and being the fastest laboratory in the world."
Other articles
Top F1 drivers face million-euro super licence fees.
Formula 1 | The FIA's fees for super licenses in 2026 are causing the sport's top drivers to exceed the million-euro threshold. Each F1 driver is required to renew a super (…)
Audi is the first team to operate a genuine 2026 Formula 1 car.
Formula 1 | Audi has discreetly made history as the first Formula 1 team to test an authentic 2026-spec car on track, finishing a private rollout away from public view in (…)
Dunne discusses McLaren's departure in light of the interest from Red Bull.
Formula 1 | Alex Dunne has minimized the rumors regarding his surprising choice to exit McLaren's driver development program last year, emphasizing that the decision (…)
FIA schedules a meeting on January 22 as tensions regarding engines escalate.
Formula 1 | The FIA has announced a technical meeting scheduled for January 22 with Formula 1 engine manufacturers, following rising concerns regarding the interpretation of the new (...)
Rovanpera's initial shortfall is 'not unexpected.'
Formula 1 | Kalle Rovanpera's inaugural complete race weekend in formula cars came to a sudden halt in New Zealand, but prominent individuals connected to the Finnish driver are expressing (…)
Wolff halts Mercedes' side projects during title drought.
Formula 1 | Toto Wolff has announced that Mercedes is ending its diversification efforts and is refocusing entirely on Formula 1, as the team (…)