A shocking allegation has emerged that implicates Toto Wolff as the driving force behind the change of the F1 rules, as the founder of Formula E claims Mercedes used data from the all-electrical series to gain an advantage with their new power units.
The sport combines the international combustion engine with an electrical battery that delivers 50% of the power each in what is one of the boldest changes of the regulations in motorsport history, accompanied by new chassis and aerodynamics too.
It is one that has seen Mercedes ascend to the top of the pecking order once again after a challenging run during the Ground Effect Era from 2022-2025 as the opening two rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season has seen the Silver Arrows’ PU emerge as the dominant package.
Two pole positions at the Australian Grand Prix and Chinese GP were backed up with not only victories on the Sunday, but two 1-2 finishes whilst George Russell also won the Sprint Race in Shanghai to add an extra cherry on top for Brackley.
The next closest competitor to the W17 is the Ferrari car, which is simply unable to match the speed of Mercedes over one lap in qualifying and whilst they can be competitive at race starts, they are unable to protect their tyres for the race distance.
Along with this, the straight-line speed deficit is frightening, with the German constructor gaining up to eight tenths over their Italian rivals as the cars reach top speed.
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Meanwhile Ferrari begins to struggle with clipping at the back end of the straights, indicating a weakness with the battery element of the car.
And now the Formula E founder, Alejandro Agag, implicates Wolff in the change of the F1 rules by claiming the 54-year-old used data from Mercedes’ FE team to gain the advantage that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli currently enjoy, in a shocking allegation.
“When Mercedes left here [FE],” Agag told MARCA. “It was because they wanted to take what existed in Formula E and bring it into Formula 1.
“The main force behind what we’re seeing in Formula 1 today is Mercedes and Toto Wolff. So Toto was here, he saw what was in place and said, ‘I’m going to take this to Formula 1 and effectively combine Formula 1 and Formula E.’
“And because it was his idea, he now has an advantage, which is clear in the gap to the others. I don’t think that’s good for Formula 1.
“The sport should return to more combustion, to V8 engines, to more noise, and leave Formula E as the all-electric championship. Right now, it sits somewhere in between – it’s neither one thing nor the other.”
Japanese Grand Prix offers next test
Attention now turns to the Japanese Grand Prix, where teams will look to close the gap at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.
Suzuka’s high-speed layout and technical complexity will provide another stern test of the 2026 machinery, particularly in how cars manage energy across long, flowing sequences.
For Mercedes, it is an opportunity to reinforce their early dominance and for their rivals, it may be the first real chance to challenge it.
