Party Mode F1: There were suggestions that the ban on engine mode will hamper Mercedes qualifying performance, but Toto Wolff feels otherwise.
Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff has spoken about reports of the “party mode” engine mode being banned by the FIA. He is confident that Mercedes will put in a good performance in qualifying sessions in spite of the ban. It is widely suggested that Mercedes benefit the most from the special engine mode. But Wolff believes it is being done to make it easier for the FIA to track the compliance of the regulations.
“It’s a very complex method between the combustion engine and all the energy recovery system. Having one mode it becomes more easy for the FIA to really see if everything is in compliance.”
Quali mode will help in performance
Toto Wolff stressed on the fact that not putting extra effort in the quali mode will help in more consistent performances. This will put Mercedes in a better place considering their better overall speed.
“I think we don’t lack performance on Saturdays. We had until now quite a margin. We struggled in some of the races where we were quite limited in powerful engine modes, and if F1 were to ban in-season certain power unit modes, then I think it will actually help us in the race.”
“So five laps of quali mode not being done gives us 25 laps of more performance in the race, and that is something we believe will give us more performance.”
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“But for us, we are always very marginal on what we can extract from the power unit, and if we were to be limited in qualifying modes, then well, we will be stronger in the race.”
