Toto Wolff warns F1 not to "freestyle" with rules

Formula 1

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Wolff warns F1 not to "freestyle" with rules

Reverse grids were touted over the second sprint trial

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Saturday 18 September 2021 18:00

Toto Wolff has warned F1 has "too much responsibility" to "freestyle" with its rules after the sport completed its second sprint trial at the Italian Grand Prix.

F1 is trying to attract new supporters and heighten intrigue with the sport by producing a more exciting product as to what is on offer currently.

One such plan has been the sprint weekend format which sees a headline event take place on each day of the weekend, dropping a practice session.

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In the past, elimination qualifying has also been tried, as well as multiple other formats since the early 2000s.

During the Monza weekend, F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn refloated the idea of reverse grids, something that Wolff has strongly condemned in the past.

Speaking during the sprint trial, Wolff suggested F1 was attempting to solve an issue that doesn't exist.

"We have resisted, in the past, experiments because they were just too controversial, against what the sport stands for," said Wolff.

"That is real racing with great personalities now and it is broadcasted in the right way and people know it is a meritocracy where the best man and best machine wins.

"You can see this year there is more cars that are really competitive and a really good fight at the top.

"Whatever conclusion we take with the teams, the FIA, FOM and the F1 commission, whether we discontinue or we continue, I think we do it with a fine-tooth comb.

"I don't think this is the regulations we should try with a baseball bat, we have too much responsibility for the sport to just freestyle with regulatory changes."

The final trial of the season is slated for the Sao Paolo Grand Prix in November but Wolff insisted an improved spectacle should not cover the cracks.

"If Brazil proves to be an exciting race, there will be an appetite to continue but the rest, some of the suggestions that have come up are just confused."