Toto Wolff believes Formula 1 needs to be careful not to spoil its current show by introducing fancy regulatory changes.
The Mercedes team boss has never been a fan of trying to artificially enhance the entertainment value of the sport, claiming last year that F1 “is not a reality show or Big Brother” or “ a world struggle where the result is completely random ”.
Another analogy the Austrian has used is that of taking a ‘baseball bat’ in the rulebook, this is how he would perceive the introduction of reverse grid racing – something his Ferrari counterpart Mattia Binotto recently did. suggested to be “interesting”.
Wolff has long maintained his view that Formula 1 is a ‘meritocracy’ and also strongly believes that it should remain so – especially as the 2021 season is proving to be the most exciting in years, with Mercedes and Red Bull fighting fiercely. World Championship battle.
Not only that, but the last four races which were able to go as planned – thus excluding the washed-out Belgian Grand Prix – were won by four different drivers and teams.
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“We have resisted experiments in the past because they were just too controversial, against what sport stands for,” Wolff said, quoted by GP Fans.
“It’s a real race with great personalities now and it’s broadcast the right way, and people know it’s a meritocracy where the best man and the best machine wins.
“You can see this year that there are more really competitive cars and a really good fight at the top.
“Whatever conclusion we draw with the teams, the FIA, the FOM and the F1 commission, whether we stop or continue, I think we do it with a fine comb.
“I don’t think that’s the rule we should try with a baseball bat. We have too many responsibilities for the sport to just do freestyle with regulatory changes. “
Wolff has been lukewarm towards the sprint qualifying experience introduced in F1 this year, which still has a try in Brazil.
He believes the future of this format might rest on what happens at Interlagos, but isn’t ready to delve into some of the suggestions put forward on how it might be changed – for example reverse grids or even a autonomous racing in itself.
“If Brazil turns out to be an exciting race, there will be an appetite to continue but the rest… some of the suggestions that have been made are just confusing.”
