Wolff questions search for new F1 engine manufacturers

  • Published on 20 Dec 2018 14:03
  • 5
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Toto Wolff has suggested that "greed" is behind Formula 1's hunt for new engine manufacturers. F1 is currently aiming to introduce new manufacturers to the sport for 2021, where the engine regulations will be revamped.

In a recent rule change, it was announced that any new manufacturer joining the grid will receive help and data from the existing competitors. But Wolff believes that there is already enough manufacturers on the grid to supply the ten teams.

"We should be happy with four premium manufacturers committed to the sport,” Wolff told ESPN. “[The ones that are] already in there for a long time. Trying to make sure that, foremost, we seek compromise with the loyal partners in there.

“And then we look at the ones who might join in the future and listen to them. But that is only the second priority. Do you want more than four? What do you want, five or six?. Where does that thinking come from? Is it greed?”

The final regulations for the 2021 engine rules have not yet been decided, but Wolff has questioned the need for the change, pointing out that all of the current manufacturers are getting closer together year after year.

“We have demonstrated to Liberty and the FIA that redesigning an engine is going to spiral the costs out of control,” Wolff said. “Even this [proposed 2021] engine now – which has more revs, more fuel flow, more fuel allowance – will result in enormous costs.

“Ideally, we would have liked to stay where we are, and not touch it. Engine performance is converging. The engines are not far away from each other. [But] every time the regulations change, you’re going to have a wider spread between the best and the worst. So why do we change it?”

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    he doesn't want other manufacturers because of greed. greed set up the rules for one to have massive success at the expense of others

    • + 2
    • Dec 20 2018 - 14:27
  • He has a point, but these engines have the wrong noise, and have to fuel-save, and the spectacle of F1 has been lost.

    • + 1
    • Dec 20 2018 - 15:02
  • Toto is understandably wanting to preserve the status quo. It has been expensive to get to this point where they do very well. However, it's abundantly clear to anyone why the engine needs to change. Cost, noise, complexity, reliability, and that without getting to the commercial side. It's not greed. It's just that F1 should be the home of motorsports greatest most iconic brands. Right now we have two, and also Renault and Honda, :D

    • + 0
    • Dec 20 2018 - 16:03
  • I could agree, but then again this is Toto Wolff, so I wont. In fact: buzz off, Toto. You are the leader of the as of present most successful team in the hybrid era. You quite literally have nothing to loose except a few scraps of money on your already massive, Massive paycheck. And of course Toto dont want it to chance, that might risk his lead.

    • + 0
    • Dec 20 2018 - 17:46
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Mercedes (and Ferrari) has shown that they aren't interested in any kind of change. They would destroy teams like Redbull or McLaren rather than supplying them an competitive engine. F1 shouldn't listen to them since they don't work to the same objective. Mercedes wants to retain advantage whereas F1 wants an competitive series and those two ideas are mutually exclusive.

    • + 0
    • Dec 23 2018 - 07:34

Related news