Toto Wolff has mocked Christian Horner for being "frightened" of the incoming package of F1 rule changes in 2026.
The planned changes will bring in an increased reliance on batteries, with a 50/50 split between combustion engine and electric power production. But Red Bull boss Horner has voiced fears that the plans could backfire, leaving cars unable to run flat out.
He has made his concerns clear in both F1 Commission and team principal meetings. The Red Bull team principal has suggested that the new-look power units will rapidly run out of electric power on straights.
But Wolff has rubbished those concerns and instead believes that Horner is worried that Red Bull have slipped back in their engine development programme. And he believes it is impossible for F1 to go back on the planned changes.
"I think what frightens him more maybe is that his engine programme is not coming along, and then maybe he wants to kill it [the rules] that way. So you always have to question what's the real motivation to say something like that," he said.
"I don't know why these things are coming up. We have developed these regulations over many years, with all the auto manufacturers being involved. It was a compromise that attracted Audi to finally joining the sport, and for Honda to stay in there.
"This is the best possible case that one could imagine for F1. Is it challenging? Are our chassis designers saying: well, how are we going to do this? Yeah. But super. These regulations are not going to change anymore.
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"They're not going to be postponed anymore, because the world needs to show innovation around sustainability. We need to reduce emissions. And we're super excited. It's doom-mongers. We're not bolting on today's chassis, which are heavy. That's what we need to reinvent for 2026."
Some teams on the grid have been pushing for F1 bosses to take another look at the impact of the rule changes. Horner has been leading that drive, insisting that the matter is "urgent".
"I think that perhaps where we need to pay urgent attention before it's too late is to look at the ratio between combustion power and electrical power. [We need] to ensure that we're not creating a technical Frankenstein," he said.
"We still have two and a half years, and I think if there is a slight redress it would then create potentially a better platform for the chassis. Otherwise, the chassis regs that are undefined yet and uncommitted, we're going to be trying to cater for those compromises.
"You have got to look at the thing holistically from both the technical point of view, and most importantly what is F1. F1 needs to be wheel-to-wheel racing. We can't afford to lose that challenge and have drivers downshifting on the straights to regenerate batteries.
"I know the FIA taking it very seriously, and they're looking at it very closely as the simulations become more advanced."
