WOLFF: NEW RULES COULD SHAKE UP F1
Toto Wolff says even a team such as Williams cannot be discounted from coming up with a Mercedes-beating 2019 Formula 1 car, amid fears of loopholes in the new regulations.
As teams develop their cars to new aero rules aimed at improving overtaking, Wolff has said he believes the order could be turned on its head by potential grey areas.
He thinks a repeat of 2009, when Brawn emerged from nowhere to triumph thanks to its double diffuser design, could be on the cards and that any team has the potential to come out on top after the rule changes which include simplified wings.
“I think with the rule changes everything is possible,” Wolff said. “I think there could be teams that have found loopholes, which others didn’t spot, that could make the difference.
“So we are taking everybody seriously: whether it is Ferrari finishing second this year or Williams finishing 10th. All of them could come with a car that can outperform us.
“We are respecting all these teams and the effort they put into it and all of them are being seen as competitors.”
Williams was another team to exploit the double-diffuser loophole in 2009, along with Toyota, but only the titlewinning Brawn team that later morphed into Mercedes was able to use the trick to winning effect.
Wolff revealed recently that Mercedes had suffered a minor “setback” with its 2019 engine. But he admitted Mercedes needed to set ambitious targets on the power front because of the threat from rivals. “All engine manufacturers including us have made big steps,” he said. “We have been the leader for many years now and, in order to stay leader of the pack, we need to push very hard and we need to set ambitious targets.”