Wolff rules out FIA "backroom deal"

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has dismissed the possibility of a 'backroom deal' with the FIA with "most stakeholders" sharing his frustrations after the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In the wake of the F1 season-ending race and the controversial manner in which the championship was settled, the FIA released a statement blaming a "significant misunderstanding" for the "reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, [in] an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the championship".

Concerns over Ferrari's engine in 2019 were raised to the FIA, with a behind-closed-doors settlement being agreed.

Asked if he is confident the events of Abu Dhabi will not be dealt with in an equally secretive manner, Wolff explained: “I think in this day and age of transparency, such decisions cannot be made anymore in backroom deals.

"And why I am optimistic is that most stakeholders in the sport will share my frustration on the decisions that have been made all throughout the year.

“Everyone who is a racer, you guys [the media], us, knows what happened.

“Nevertheless, I have confidence because we will be all pulling on the same rope in the same directions.

"The teams and I have feedback from the teams and the drivers, I had assurances Peter Bayer [FIA secretary-general for motor sport] and Stefano [Domenicali - F1 CEO] that in the next weeks and months, we will close the gaps that have opened up more and more over the last few years.”

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