Toto Wolff's Ferrari comments speak volumes as Lewis Hamilton eyes change in fortunes

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff wants the Silver Arrows to battle with Ferrari for F1 honours next season. McLaren are currently the team to beat, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominating on the track. But that could change in the 2026 season when a new set of technical regulations are introduced.

Mercedes enjoyed a fecund spell between 2014 and 2021 as they won eight consecutive Constructors' Championship titles under Wolff's stewardship. Lewis Hamilton won six of his seven world titles with the Brackley-based outfit during that period before jumping ship to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Briton has struggled during his first half a season with the Scuderia and was unable to secure a single podium finish before the summer break. But his former boss thinks he could soon be competing for silverware once again alongside Mercedes.

After being asked to name a rival team he'd like to compete with for F1 glory next season during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Wolff replied: "The answer is simple - Ferrari. Seeing Ferrari against Mercedes would be wonderful. A classic.

"And then Lewis and Charles [Leclerc] against Kimi [Antonelli] and George [Russell], an incredible challenge.

"An Italian driver against an Italian car - can you imagine it? I have no doubt that this duel will happen, next year or in the future. We will experience it, and it will be fantastic."

Mercedes have been tipped to return to the top of the pecking order after the regulation changes come into force.

But Wolff played down suggestions that the Silver Arrows will definitely be at the front of the pack.

"It's just gossip, we don't know anything," he explained. "I expect Ferrari to be very competitive and Honda has shown how strong it is, I expect a lot from them with Aston Martin.

"Then there's Red Bull with the new engines, there's Audi. Everyone wants to be ready and competitive, and we'll see who has worked best."

The regulation changes, which were revealed by F1 and FIA chiefs last summer, will see cars becoming smaller and lighter to give them more agility. Vehicles will also have narrower tyres and adapted chassis to reduce downforce.

And the front and rear wings of cars will be revamped, while the DRS will be replaced by manual override mode.

The 2026 F1 season will feature 24 Grands Prix and will get underway in Australia at the start of March before moving on to China a week later. It will conclude in Abu Dhabi at the start of December.