Wolff launches accusations at Ferrari and others over the engine issue
The Mercedes team principal has gone on the offensive, openly declaring war on Ferrari and other rivals over the engine issue. During the presentation of the new W17 yesterday, Toto Wolff addressed the topic of the compression ratio of the new power unit, using very strong words against Ferrari and other competitors.
The Barcelona tests have already provided some initial indications. Mercedes and Ferrari were the engine manufacturers that completed the highest mileage overall, with the Maranello-based team not suffering any kind of power unit issues, even on its customer cars. For now, the SF-26 has been running with a basic aerodynamic configuration, while waiting for a more aggressive version. The new regulations bring another major revolution to the engine, which is now powered equally by the internal combustion engine and the electric component.
Rumours have been circulating that the Brackley-based team has found a trick to increase the compression ratio. The limit is set at 16, and FIA checks are carried out with the engine cold, but it is claimed that the power unit could reach a compression ratio of 18 when running. Toto Wolff has now launched several accusations at rivals regarding their behaviour so far.
Wolff: “I don’t see the point of secret meetings or inventing new ways to test engines”
“Our power unit is legal, it complies with what is written in the regulations and it is fully aligned with the control methods and measurements that are in place. Communication with the FIA has been very positive from the very beginning, not only on the compression ratio, but also on other aspects. The rest is all bullshit! In that area everything is very clear, both in terms of what the regulations say and the standard procedures that are applied to any engine, even outside Formula 1. So get a move on,” Toto Wolff said, referring to rival teams. “I don’t understand how some teams focus more on their competitors than on themselves, continuing to push a theory that is clear and transparent. I don’t see the point of holding secret meetings, sending secret letters and inventing new ways to test engines…”
“On our side, we are trying to minimise distractions and focus on our own work. It is clear what the regulations say and it is clear what the FIA has communicated to us. Perhaps some prefer to find excuses before even getting started, in case things do not go well. If there are those who want to have fun creating distractions, they are free to do so.”
As reported yesterday by The Race, a new meeting between the FIA and technical experts was scheduled for today to discuss a possible method for measuring the compression ratio with the engine hot. On Thursday, the topic will officially be brought to the table of the Power Unit Advisory Committee. There is no talk of immediate regulation changes, but the Federation is seeking a political and technical agreement among engine manufacturers to introduce a shared control procedure, avoiding ambiguous interpretations.
