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Drivers Push Back on Wolff’s 400 km/h Claim as Mercedes Boss Clarifies It Was Theoretical

Wolff now portrays 400 km/h as a theoretical energy‑dump scenario under 2026 rules.

Overview

  • Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly said their 2026 simulator runs were nowhere near 400 km/h, contradicting the headline figure.
  • Wolff told The Race his remark was semi‑sarcastic and contingent on deploying all available electrical energy on a single straight.
  • FIA regulations will limit how quickly electric power can ramp down, with reductions capped at 50 kW or 100 kW per second depending on the circuit.
  • The 2026 package splits power roughly 50:50 between internal combustion and electric sources, with energy management expected to slow lap times.
  • Gasly quipped that 400 km/h might require longer straights or gearbox changes, noting current F1 top speeds peak around 378 km/h in Baku 2016.