Toto Wolff + Hywel Thomas: racing towards 2026

Toto Wolff + Hywel Thomas: racing towards 2026

From F1 Beyond The Grid by Formula 1

December 10, 2025 · 36 min

About this episode

Toto Wolff and Hywel Thomas discuss the upcoming changes in Formula 1 for 2026, focusing on new power units and sustainable racing.

As Formula 1 enters an exciting new era of fast, thrilling and sustainable racing in 2026, what can we expect on track? Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, and Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, Hywel Thomas, explain how the new power units and advanced sustainable fuels will enhance performance and demand different skills from the drivers and teams. Toto and Hywel tell Tom Clarkson how they feel on the eve of this new rule cycle compared to 2014, when they went on to win eight Constructors’ World Championships in a row, and what they make of rumours in the paddock pitching them as pre-season favourites. You’ll also hear their thoughts on how George Russell and Kimi Antonelli performed in 2025 and what they can achieve in the coming years. This episode is sponsored by: Truewerk: upgrade your day with workwear built like it matters. Get 15% off your first order at truewerk.com with code GRID. Indeed: listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at indeed.com/GRID . F1 Store: F1 Store: treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop…

People in this episode

Host: Tom Clarkson

Guests: Toto Wolff, Hywel Thomas

Topics covered

  • Formula 1
  • sustainable racing
  • power units
  • team performance
  • driver skills
  • 2026 regulations

Keywords

  • Formula 1
  • Toto Wolff
  • Hywel Thomas
  • sustainable fuels
  • 2026
  • Mercedes
  • drivers
  • performance

Sponsors

Truewerk, Indeed, F1 Store

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mercedes, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains

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