Wolff believes Racing Point protests "more a philosophical discussion"
Wolff believes Racing Point protests "more a philosophical discussion"
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated his belief the protests against Racing Point are "less a technical discussion" and "more a philosophical discussion".
Racing Point openly admits the RP20 was designed based on photographs of the 2019 title winning Mercedes W10 and, while this practice is not illegal, each team is required to design listed parts in house.
Racing Point is currently under investigation for its brake ducts, but Wolff questions why "smaller" teams are not allowed to buy more components from the "bigger" teams.
Wolff said: "As Nikolas Tombazis [FIA Head of Single Seater Technical Matters] has formulated it, it's less a technical discussion, it's more a philosophical discussion.
"Should the smaller teams be allowed to be supplied parts by the bigger teams for less R&D, and the bigger teams to make some business out of it, or should everybody just develop their own chassis from their own R&D?
"As a consequence, it would mean a two-tier society even with a cost cap."
Wolff added: "All the complaining we heard last year, that the smaller teams are unable to compete for pole positions and race wins is being shown to be absurd.
"Racing Point is right up there, they are faster in some corners than we are, and it's a good challenge to see that. I have no doubt that Racing Point will be a hard nut to crack on some of the circuits for us as well."
With regard to the protest against Racing Point, Wolff refuses to pass judgement, although praising the team for doing a "good job".
"I can't judge it because I'm not looking under the bodywork," continued Wolff.
"I think from our side everything has been in the regulations. Racing Point has been in close contact, as far as I understand, about the whole process.
"They seem to have re-engineered our car. They have bought non-listed parts from us last year and they are just doing a good job."
Before you go...
F1 cannot become "complacent" as Covid-19 is "everywhere" - Masi
Norris excited by "more challenging" new calendar additions
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- 42 minutes ago
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- 1 hour ago
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Today 17:57
Newey Red Bull exit wish CONFIRMED as F1 guru's reasons revealed
- 2 hours ago
F1 legend reveals 'FLOOD' of death threats after controversial decision
- 3 hours ago
Adrian Newey: The life and career of Red Bull's departing genius
- Today 19:32
Related news
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860