Toto Wolff is very much looking forward to the new ranking in Singapore as a new set of rules takes effect. The Mercedes team boss says to Motorsport.com that he hopes that the competition will be held back somewhat by the new rule, although it seems unlikely that Red Bull will suddenly be at the back of the field.
The FIA will pay closer attention to the flexibility of the wings of the F1 cars in the coming period. According to the FIA, several teams use some tricks to push the limits of the rules. If the wings on a car are more flexible, that gives the car a lot more speed. It is said that Aston Martin in particular would have benefited from this at the start of the season.
The consequences of this rule will only become visible at the next race, in Singapore. Toto Wolff is very curious what the effect will be, although he does not expect anything to change at the fastest team this year. “It will be interesting. With Aston Martin you can already see that they have taken a step back now that their wing moves less, but I don’t know the details. Let’s wait. I don’t know who benefits more than others, but who knows. Maybe Red Bull is suddenly half a second slower. That would be nice, but I don’t think that will be the case.”
For Wolff himself, the Grand Prix of Singapore will be the last for the time being. The Mercedes team boss will have surgery on his knee after the race following his cycling accident this summer which also injured his elbow. It is expected that Wolff will only miss the Japanese Grand Prix and will be back at the pit wall in Qatar. In the meantime, Jerome D’Ambrosio will replace him as team principal.
The special Dutch GP storage issue of FORMULE 1 Magazine is now in stores and can also be ordered online, with free delivery throughout the Netherlands! Enjoy the spectacular Dutch GP in Zandvoort, in words and images. This is how experts from the paddock give their views on Max Verstappen’s extremely high level of performance. Also included in this issue:
Verstappen’s royal show in Zandvoort: ‘Max is approaching perfection’
Report: Are Sergio Pérez’s days at Red Bull numbered?
André Rieu moves 100,000 fans with Wilhelmus: ‘This is really a highlight’
Cross-pollination Red Bull & Alinghi: Formula 1 on the water
Photo report Andreas Terlaak: About seagulls, a still life and road sweeper
Columns Rob Kamphues & Nelson Valkenburg
And furthermore the best stories and the most beautiful images of the spectacular Dutch GP
