{"id":1893800,"date":"2026-04-20T10:17:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893800"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:17:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:17:00","slug":"toto-wolff-warns-f1-rule-tweaks-must-change-with-scalpel-not-a-baseball-bat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893800","title":{"rendered":"Toto Wolff warns F1 rule tweaks must change &#8220;with scalpel, not a baseball bat\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Toto Wolff warns F1 rule tweaks must change &#8220;with scalpel, not a baseball bat\u201d<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff shares his view on proposals to change F1&#8217;s rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-20T11:17:00+01:00\">20 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Wolff has urged F1 not to make knee-jerk reactions<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned that any tweaks to the Formula 1 rules must be made \u201cwith a scalpel and not with a baseball bat\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Key F1 figures including teams and engine manufacturers will meet virtually on Monday to discuss with series chief executives and governing body the FIA how the much-maligned 2026 rules can be improved.<\/p>\n<p>The move to a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power has led to increased emphasis on energy management in both qualifying and the races, something that has been heavily criticised by fans and drivers alike. Safety concerns have also been raised about dramatic closing speed differences following Ollie Bearman\u2019s terrifying 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>A series of key meetings are taking place during F1\u2019s enforced April break with the hope that agreement on changes to improve the regulations can be reached.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI must really say that the discussions that have been taking place between the group of drivers, the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams has been constructive, and we all share the same objectives,\u201d Wolff told media including<em> Crash.net <\/em>ahead of Monday&#8217;s crunch meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s how can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing, and look at what can we improve in terms of safety. But act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we&#8217;re coming to good solutions that we&#8217;re going to ratify hopefully today in order to evolve, because it&#8217;s only three races in. And in a way, we need to learn from the past where sometimes decisions were made in an erratic way, and then we overshot and realised it wasn&#8217;t good.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0354d56c5e8db505f6c2bad815afec3265e33e686de4ed34ce05cac4e62b049c\">  Mercedes highlights fears over ADUO \u201cgamesmanship\u201d by F1 rivals   Surprise safety admission from beneficiary of banned F1 engine trick <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWe are custodians of this sport, and in that respect, I am carefully optimistic that we&#8217;re going to align [on] the aforementioned objectives whilst keeping the racing really good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When asked if there is any concern that the proposed tweaks might not go far enough, and could lead to further amendments later down the line, Wolff replied: \u201cI think that if you have aligned objectives, you define those objectives at the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is \u2018how can we work on making qualifying more spectacular, enjoyable for the drivers? How can we tackle safety objectives? And at the same time protect what&#8217;s really good within the racing, the overtaking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3ea1c3a9662ca10ff5db08d8167f128165bf2bc822488d5f9c4119ce9688a7c4\">  FIA president issues statement before crunch F1 2026 rules meeting   Has the dynamic between F1\u2019s early title protagonists shifted? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s why those steps look like they are in the right direction &#8211; not overshooting, not undershooting, but if you come to the conclusion further down the line that we need to maybe redefine the objectives and so be it. But at the moment, I think that&#8217;s carved out in a pretty clear way and that&#8217;s good.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Mercedes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Toto Wolff<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Surprise safety admission from driver who gained from banned F1 engine trick<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Mercedes highlights fears over ADUO \u201cgamesmanship\u201d by F1 rivals<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403544_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-11ef2c6e1cf8ca24deed0552a94ceaf442b6e15f5717955eb3bc300979f071bb\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-1cdcb2a6a45b8ba71de6a2ba83c744be6cc7540c642e290e78ab70c27c696846\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Russell backs F1 to survive possible Max Verstappen exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776510000\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202510040588.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell would understand if Verstappen quit F1 \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Stronger, more in control&#8221;: F1&#8217;s surprise points leader reflects on storming 2026 start<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776434817\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404667_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Revealed: The &#8220;two headline points&#8221; F1 drivers want from rule changes<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776425111\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403954_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Qualifying is an area F1 drivers want improving \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rare Abu Dhabi 2021 defence made for \u2018scapegoat\u2019 Michael Masi<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776417837\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1126213_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen beat Hamilton to the 2021 world title in a controversial finish\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Russell reveals \u2018behind the scenes\u2019 work to fix Mercedes\u2019 big weakness<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776327067\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403825_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell is second in the world championship \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Russell wants to see iconic F1 track return to the calendar<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776256560\"> 15\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402915_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell, Mercedes, F1, 2026, Japan\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff shares his view on proposals to change F1&#8217;s rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned that any tweaks to the Formula 1 rules must be made \u201cwith a scalpel and not with a baseball bat\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Key F1 figures including teams and engine manufacturers will meet virtually on Monday to discuss with series chief executives and governing body the FIA how the much-maligned 2026 rules can be improved.<\/p>\n<p>The move to a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power has led to increased emphasis on energy management in both qualifying and the races, something that has been heavily criticised by fans and drivers alike. Safety concerns have also been raised about dramatic closing speed differences following Ollie Bearman\u2019s terrifying 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>A series of key meetings are taking place during F1\u2019s enforced April break with the hope that agreement on changes to improve the regulations can be reached.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI must really say that the discussions that have been taking place between the group of drivers, the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams has been constructive, and we all share the same objectives,\u201d Wolff told media including<em> Crash.net <\/em>ahead of Monday&#8217;s crunch meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s how can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing, and look at what can we improve in terms of safety. But act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we&#8217;re coming to good solutions that we&#8217;re going to ratify hopefully today in order to evolve, because it&#8217;s only three races in. And in a way, we need to learn from the past where sometimes decisions were made in an erratic way, and then we overshot and realised it wasn&#8217;t good.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0354d56c5e8db505f6c2bad815afec3265e33e686de4ed34ce05cac4e62b049c\">  Mercedes highlights fears over ADUO \u201cgamesmanship\u201d by F1 rivals   Surprise safety admission from beneficiary of banned F1 engine trick <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWe are custodians of this sport, and in that respect, I am carefully optimistic that we&#8217;re going to align [on] the aforementioned objectives whilst keeping the racing really good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When asked if there is any concern that the proposed tweaks might not go far enough, and could lead to further amendments later down the line, Wolff replied: \u201cI think that if you have aligned objectives, you define those objectives at the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is \u2018how can we work on making qualifying more spectacular, enjoyable for the drivers? How can we tackle safety objectives? And at the same time protect what&#8217;s really good within the racing, the overtaking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3ea1c3a9662ca10ff5db08d8167f128165bf2bc822488d5f9c4119ce9688a7c4\">  FIA president issues statement before crunch F1 2026 rules meeting   Has the dynamic between F1\u2019s early title protagonists shifted? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s why those steps look like they are in the right direction &#8211; not overshooting, not undershooting, but if you come to the conclusion further down the line that we need to maybe redefine the objectives and so be it. But at the moment, I think that&#8217;s carved out in a pretty clear way and that&#8217;s good.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned that any tweaks to the Formula 1 rules must be made \u201cwith a scalpel and not with a baseball bat\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Key F1 figures including teams and engine manufacturers will meet virtually on Monday to discuss with series chief executives and governing body the FIA how the much-maligned 2026 rules can be improved.<\/p>\n<p>The move to a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power has led to increased emphasis on energy management in both qualifying and the races, something that has been heavily criticised by fans and drivers alike. Safety concerns have also been raised about dramatic closing speed differences following Ollie Bearman\u2019s terrifying 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>A series of key meetings are taking place during F1\u2019s enforced April break with the hope that agreement on changes to improve the regulations can be reached.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI must really say that the discussions that have been taking place between the group of drivers, the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams has been constructive, and we all share the same objectives,\u201d Wolff told media including<em> Crash.net <\/em>ahead of Monday&#8217;s crunch meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s how can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing, and look at what can we improve in terms of safety. But act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we&#8217;re coming to good solutions that we&#8217;re going to ratify hopefully today in order to evolve, because it&#8217;s only three races in. And in a way, we need to learn from the past where sometimes decisions were made in an erratic way, and then we overshot and realised it wasn&#8217;t good.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0354d56c5e8db505f6c2bad815afec3265e33e686de4ed34ce05cac4e62b049c\">  Mercedes highlights fears over ADUO \u201cgamesmanship\u201d by F1 rivals   Surprise safety admission from beneficiary of banned F1 engine trick <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWe are custodians of this sport, and in that respect, I am carefully optimistic that we&#8217;re going to align [on] the aforementioned objectives whilst keeping the racing really good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When asked if there is any concern that the proposed tweaks might not go far enough, and could lead to further amendments later down the line, Wolff replied: \u201cI think that if you have aligned objectives, you define those objectives at the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is \u2018how can we work on making qualifying more spectacular, enjoyable for the drivers? How can we tackle safety objectives? And at the same time protect what&#8217;s really good within the racing, the overtaking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3ea1c3a9662ca10ff5db08d8167f128165bf2bc822488d5f9c4119ce9688a7c4\">  FIA president issues statement before crunch F1 2026 rules meeting   Has the dynamic between F1\u2019s early title protagonists shifted? <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s why those steps look like they are in the right direction &#8211; not overshooting, not undershooting, but if you come to the conclusion further down the line that we need to maybe redefine the objectives and so be it. But at the moment, I think that&#8217;s carved out in a pretty clear way and that&#8217;s good.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093235\/1\/toto-wolff-warns-f1-rule-tweaks-must-change-scalpel-not-baseball-bat&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1398480_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Toto Wolff warns F1 rule tweaks must change &#8220;with scalpel, not a baseball bat\u201d Mercedes boss Toto Wolff shares his view on proposals to change F1&#8217;s rules. Lewis Larkam 20 Apr 2026 Share Wolff has urged F1 not to make knee-jerk reactions Add as a preferred source Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1893800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1893800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893800\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1893800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1893800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1893800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}