Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told the FIA that rule tweaks will be handled with a “scalpel rather than a baseball bat” at Monday’s technical meeting. He echoed concerns raised by drivers such as George Russell, who wants to curb lift‑and‑coast qualifying and tame closing‑speed gaps. Wolff’s tone was upbeat about preserving racing excitement and warned that over‑regulation could stifle innovation across the grid.

Verstappen has flagged the new power‑unit balance – roughly a 50‑50 split between combustion and electric output – as a source of uneven lap times. Battery‑charge limits force drivers into “boost” and “overtaking” modes that widen speed differentials, especially when the lower recharge ceiling of 250kW applies only under full‑throttle. Teams say it penalises hybrid‑efficient cars, and adjusting that limit could eliminate forced lift‑and‑coast sections.

Wolff stressed that any amendment must balance spectacle, safety and the overtaking battles that define F1. He suggested a clear objective list before the Miami Grand Prix weekend, where the FIA may lift the 250kW throttle restriction. It would also simplify strategy calls for engineers, and qualifying laps could return to full‑power runs, tightening competition and rewarding driver skill.