Toto Wolff believes Racing Point protests "more a philosophical discussion"

Formula 1

Wolff believes Racing Point protests "more a philosophical discussion"

Renault has twice protested the Racing Point RP20

Sam Hall

Saturday 25 July 2020 12:59

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.

Article continues under video

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