Wolff advises Eddie Jordan to stop spreading fake news

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned Eddie Jordan over remarks he made yesterday in the Azerbaijan paddock. Jordan, who has a knack for making predictions in Formula 1, suggested that Mercedes will leave the sport at the end of 2018.

Jordan also stated that the China F1 Racing team would purchase the Bracky outfit. Furthermore, main sponsors UBS and Petronas were also predicted to be walking out the door with Mercedes at the end of next season.

"I'm ready for any banter with Eddie," Wolff said, "but I stop laughing when it comes to 1500 employees who are worried about their future. I told him that this is very serious for me. We are not leaving F1, none of our sponsors are leaving F1, and we are very happy where we are. He should stop reporting these rumours, this fake news." 

Oil trick not harming Ferrari

Wolff also spoke out about the new FIA rules surrounding oil in the combustion engine, in which one team asked the FIA to clamp down the rules. After that happened, Ferrari qualified over a second behind Mercedes yesterday in Baku, sparking speculation hat Ferrari has had its advantage slashed.

"I don't know why the gap is what it is," Mercedes team boss Wolff said. When asked specifically about the FIA's clampdown, he added: "I don't know who is doing what, but I think the FIA's further clarification makes the conditions for that more stringent. But I don't think this had any particular effect here."

Another feeling in the paddock is that the matter only takes force in qualifying. Sebastian Vettel said: "Our long runs on Friday were strong, so I have no particular worries about our pace. I think ourselves, Mercedes and Ferrari are very close," he added.

Fergal Walsh