Mercedes’ latest technical innovation has sparked a wave of protests across the Formula 1 paddock. Red Bull and several other constructors are calling on the FIA to intervene, while Toto Wolff staunchly defends the legality of the project and has found an unexpected ally in former F1 driver Johnny Herbert.
An innovation dividing teams and irritating Wolff
According to reports, Red Bull has also identified the alleged technical trick used by Mercedes, although without gaining any significant advantage. For this reason, they joined other teams in urging the FIA to ban the innovation.
However, Toto Wolff has firmly rejected these accusations. The Mercedes team principal insists that their engines are “very clear” in terms of legality and encourages protesting rivals to “get a grip.” His direct response has further fueled tensions in the paddock.
Johnny Herbert backs Mercedes’ ingenuity
Johnny Herbert, former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst, has voiced his support for Wolff, arguing that it would be unfair to penalize Mercedes for their engineering creativity.
“I understand why Toto is a little annoyed with those trying to stop them from using what they’ve created,” Herbert told Mirror Sport. “This isn’t Formula 2, it isn’t Formula 3, it isn’t IndyCar, it isn’t a one-make chassis. Everyone has the opportunity to invent something smart. Of course there will be an advantage, otherwise they wouldn’t have done it and put so much effort into it. If they had a clever, brilliant idea, good for them.”
Herbert emphasizes that ingenuity is a core part of Formula 1: “It’s part of the game: being resourceful, intelligent, and trying to gain an edge over others. I don’t think it’s fair to eliminate a technology that Mercedes has developed in such a clever way.”
The FIA’s role and the risk of setting a dangerous precedent
Herbert also points to Aston Martin as an example, praised by George Russell: “Are all teams equal? No. The car everyone talks about, which Russell called really excellent, is the Aston Martin. Is it unfair that it works? Are we trying to ban something just because they were good at exploiting it? Toto is right to say: ‘It’s your fault, it’s your problem.’”
Meanwhile, the FIA is working to restore order ahead of the start of the 2026 season. Nikolas Tombazis, Technical Director for the single-seaters, confirmed that the goal is to resolve the matter by March 8, the date of the season opener in Melbourne: “We don’t want controversy. We want people to compete on track, not in court or in the stewards’ room, and that’s what we are trying to achieve.”
This dispute highlights one of Formula 1’s recurring dilemmas: how far should technical innovation be encouraged, and when does it risk upsetting the competitive balance? Mercedes defends its creativity, rivals fear an irrecoverable advantage, and the FIA faces the delicate task of drawing a line between engineering freedom and regulation. The final decision could shape not only the upcoming season but also the future of technical development in Formula 1.
Johnny Herbert’s defense of Mercedes serves as a powerful reminder that Formula 1 has always been a battle of wits as much as a battle of drivers. By telling rivals “it’s your fault” for not being as ingenious as the Brackley engineers, Johnny Herbert is championing the DNA of a sport that thrives on technical breakthroughs. As the FIA nears its March 8 deadline, the pressure is on Nikolas Tombazis to ensure the 2026 season starts on the track rather than in a courtroom. Whether Mercedes’ “clever idea” survives the protest or is consigned to the history books, the saga proves that in the high-stakes world of the 2026 technical reset, the most valuable component in the car remains the imagination of the engineers.
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