Toto Wolff: Eleventh Formula 1 team would be a security risk

On the Formulation 1 race in Silverstone eleven groups had been at the beginning. Risks are then solely ten minus Brad Pitt’s filming-only workforce, however an actual eleventh workforce within the premier class may quickly be a actuality. Andretti/Cadillac is within the beginning blocks, Hitech has additionally formally utilized.

As is well-known, to not the delight of the present racing groups. Not solely due to a smaller share within the income of the booming Formulation 1 market: This is Wolff sees safety points Fred Vasseur issues with meaningfulness.

Wolff: Qualifying is already harmful sufficient

“If you happen to take a look at the qualifying classes, it is already like a go-kart observe. Everybody drives backwards and forwards and will get in one another’s approach,” Toto Wolff throws a brand new issue into the workforce debate. “There’s a safety downside. We simply do not have the logistics to accommodate an eleventh workforce.”

The Hollywood workforce of Formulation 1 would have had sufficient area in Silverstone, however on smaller tracks the lodging is already an issue. “Our place could be very clear: purchase right into a workforce,” mentioned Wolff. Instance: Ford and Purple Bull or Audi and Sauber.

Ferrari and Mercedes: Eleventh Formulation 1 workforce presently is senseless

“For as soon as I’ve to agree with Toto. Have a look at what occurred just lately. It was complete in Spielberg Chaos mit Track Limits. Think about if we now had ten p.c extra violations,” Fred Vasseur additionally believes {that a} new workforce can buy in in the event that they do.

“If it brings an enormous benefit for everybody concerned: Why not? However we’re not at that time at the moment,” says the Ferrari workforce boss. “The prevailing ten groups have made an amazing effort to be on the beginning line-up. A few of them even struggled to outlive. If we’ve got so as to add one other workforce now, it is actually just for excellent causes.”

Max Verstappen as a counter-argument for a brand new workforce

Not an excellent motive is nationality. Andretti and Cadillac intentionally current themselves as an “All-American” workforce to serve the American market. “We discuss quite a bit a couple of workforce’s nationality, however it would not actually matter to me,” mentioned Vasseur. “Formulation 1 is just not a British championship simply because 70 p.c of the groups are primarily based in Nice Britain.”

As well as, the USA already has an American workforce in Haas. “The attractiveness of Formulation 1 is rather more decided by the nationality of the drivers, not by that of the groups,” mentioned Vasseur. Finest instance: Max Verstappen. “Have a look at what’s taking place within the Netherlands. They do not have a workforce, they’ve Max!”

Toto Wolff extra Americanization of Formulation 1

“There isn’t a main sports activities league on the planet, be it a nationwide soccer championship, the Champions League, the NBA, the NFL or the NHL, wherein such a state of affairs can be potential,” says Toto Wolff. “You possibly can’t simply say: I am going to put collectively a workforce and get on board. Thanks very a lot, and by the best way please give me my share of the prize cash.”

In fact, the groups don’t get the complete perception into the brand new functions. However what Mercedes and Co. have seen has not been passable up to now. “You possibly can’t merely enhance the variety of individuals in any league,” Toto Wolff sees the chance of dilution.

Wolff: Not solely qualifying for drivers, but in addition for brand spanking new groups

“You need to need to do one thing to qualify. You need to run by the completely different leagues and present the identical dedication to Formulation 1 that we’ve got executed for a few years,” mentioned the Mercedes workforce boss. And the 200 million greenback registration payment is way too little anyway.

Toto Wolff doesn’t see a relegation mannequin as in soccer as an answer, however as a substitute seeks inspiration from US sports activities. “If everybody within the NFL agrees to a brand new signing, for the proper causes, with the proper workforce management and so forth, then the workforce can be authorized,” Wolff mentioned. “It is like that in virtually each American skilled league. We’re additionally a franchise firm, so I might deal with it the identical approach.”

Formulation 1 entry with obstacles

Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur usually are not alone on this opinion. A brand new workforce faces headwinds from (virtually) all sides besides Zak Brown. “GM is a superb model, however what’s your plan?” Christian Horner puzzled. Ford, however, has a transparent position and doesn’t current itself as a newcomer to Formulation 1.