Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has once again made remarks in stark contrast to Lewis Hamilton about the regulations of F1. In reference to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the Briton had previously stated how he wants F1 to change their regulations to avoid the domination of one single team. However, Wolff wants none of that and has once again emphasized how F1 is a “meritocracy“. In an interview with ESPN (as quoted by outkick.com), the Austrian made it clear that F1 “cannot be WWE“.
Wolff’s recent remarks come after Hamilton told Sky Sports earlier this year, “I think the FIA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing on next year’s car“. The 38-year-old believes that by doing so, no one team will have a longstanding advantage in the sport.
Toto Wolff snubs Lewis Hamilton and defends Red Bull’s domination again
In an interview with ESPN, Toto Wolff made it clear that he has no interest in jumping on a “bandwagon,” where people want F1 to change the rules to avoid a single team dominating the sport. As quoted by outkick.com, the Austrian once again said, “If a team in a way dominates in a way Max has done with Red Bull, then fair do’s. This is a meritocracy“.
He then pointed out that as long as no team breaks the rules to achieve success, he has no problem with one single team dominating. After stating the same, the 51-year-old made it clear that it is now the responsibility of the other teams to catch up to Red Bull and Max Verstappen no matter how long it takes them.
Toto Wolff says he has no problem with Red Bull bossing the F1 season, calling success in the sport ‘a meritocracy’ 🤌 pic.twitter.com/rXaGo21qDf
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 21, 2023
Wolff then concluded his remarks about how rivals cried foul when Mercedes dominated the sport as well. “I remember people crying foul when it was us. Entertainment follows the sport and not the other way around. We cannot be WWE. Scripted content. We don’t want to be scripted content“, he explained.
Wolff is referring to the time when Mercedes dominated F1 for eight years between 2014 and 2021. During this time, Lewis Hamilton won six of his seven championships, while the Silver Arrows won eight consecutive Constructors’ titles. Since Hamilton achieved such domination with Mercedes at this time, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has called him out for his hypocrisy.
Horner recently slammed Hamilton for hypocrisy
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, Lewis Hamilton had raised concerns about the quality of Max Verstappen’s teammates. The Briton claimed that all his previous teammates have been stronger than the teammates that the Dutchman has had.
When asked to comment upon the same, Christian Horner replied, “It’s quite a strange thing for Lewis to be saying after seven years of domination“! The Red Bull team principal then added that he was happy to see Hamilton signing a new contract with Mercedes.
Horner stated that he is now looking forward to some more battles between the 38-year-old and Verstappen in the future. Hamilton recently signed a two-year extension with Mercedes due to which his contract will now expire after the 2025 season.
