The FIA is currently investigating the team submissions from the 2022 campaign. During the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, it was revealed that additional questions have been sent to some of the top teams in order to seek more explanations.
This comes on top of one of the current big talking points being how much teams are benefitting from using non-F1 parts of their business to help boost progress of their grand prix outfits.
While some of the most obvious exploits in this area have been shut down through the publication of a technical directive (TD45) outlawing the transfer outside the cost cap of IP from non-F1 businesses to teams, there remains some grey areas.
Wolff asserts that, starting from the upcoming rule cycles in 2026, it is necessary to implement fresh regulations to prevent competitors from manipulating the allocation of staff between F1 teams and other endeavors.
Motorsport.com inquired about the difficulty the FIA faced in effectively monitoring these non-F1 aspects to prevent teams from obtaining an unjust advantage. In response, Wolff acknowledged the challenge, stating that it was indeed quite challenging due to the extensive workforce of the larger teams, which consists of thousands of individuals involved in diverse projects, both commercial and non-commercial.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Michael Potts / Motorsport Images
“It is slightly simpler for us as we have all components consolidated within a single entity. This allows for easy visibility of employees and their respective attributions. However, the complexity increases when dealing with multiple subsidiaries.”
“I have always been vocal about my belief that, with the implementation of the 2026 regulations, we ought to eliminate the entirety of that in its entirety.”
And while teams’ extra applied technology business area are a good revenue stream, Wolff thinks that there is greater value from ensuring the cost cap is robust and that there is a greater degree of separation.
“It presents a significant difficulty in the actual world since our engineering projects generate revenue and profits,” he further commented.
“I cannot reword.”
“If someone devotes 10 seconds to an F1 project, they should be completely immersed in F1. This is certainly the direction we must pursue.”
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