"Zero worry" Mercedes in breach in Racing Point row - Wolff

Mercedes

"Zero worry" Mercedes in breach in Racing Point row - Wolff

Mercedes supplied CAD designs and data

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Friday 7 August 2020 17:00

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed any concern his team was in breach of the FIA regulations with regard to its involvement in the Racing Point row

A stewards' investigation determined that the rear brake ducts, in particular, on this season's RP20 are near-identical to those on last year's Mercedes W10, employing CAD designs and other data, which is in contravention of the sporting regulations.

Yet Wolff has insisted he is "100 per cent comfortable with our position", and has been caught by surprise by the punishment levied against Racing Point of a deduction of 15 constructors' championship points and €400,000 fine.

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"We have read the rules over and over again," insisted Wolff. "The verdict that came out, which is extremely complicated, comes up with an interpretation which is new to all of us."

Referring to a cut-off date as to when information could be passed between the teams, Wolff added: “We provided certain data in terms of 2019 which was totally within the rules.

"The sixth of January had no material effect on any of the action because the whole thing was delivered much earlier, and all the CAD drawings and designs were delivered much earlier. Racing Point and ourselves are still of the opinion that is within the regulations."

Appreciating the arguments on both sides regarding being a constructor and a customer car, Wolff said: “We are prepared to have a discussion on the philosophy, whether we want cars to be very similar to other cars, whether we want co-operation – I see some benefits

"I see we have a team that is competing amongst the front-running teams now, this was very much the aim, and on the other side, it provides a great source of income for us as a big team.

“We are able to monetise some of the technologies that otherwise wouldn’t be monetised, and I think it’s a win-win situation.

“I also get the opinion, and I respect the opinion, of the other side that cars shouldn’t look like some other cars. Now, none of the regulations prohibits that.

“This special situation arose because a non-listed part became a listed part, so while it was a non-listed part, things were supplied, but we can have that legal discussion endlessly."

Adamant he has no concerns over his team's involvement, Wolff said: "At the end, to be honest, there is zero worry on our side, and when I say zero, I mean zero, that we were in any breach.

“Nor do I think Racing Point was in breach, and I believe that if that were to go to the ICA [International Court of Appeal], it would be probably a complex matter because it is very technical, but I doubt there would be any outcome.”

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