Formula 1 competitors are challenging the 2023 rules, Wolff says

The main group of teams led by Ferrari and Red Bull unhappy with the scale of the revisions the FIA ​​intends to make in the technical regulation for the next year.

In particular, they are unhappy that the proposed 25mm rise in the floor edges and raised diffuser throat will force them to change the direction of the 2023 cars, which could prove costly and disruptive.

Some in the squad wonder if the FIA ​​has overstepped its authority by playing the safety card on the guinea pigs at a time when the teams seem to have things under more control.

Although the teams are lobbying FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to try to find a compromise solution, there is speculation that motorsport’s governing body could face an official challenge, potentially through a Ferrari veto or a court.

But Wolff, whose team backs the FIA’s stance, believes talk of things becoming legal is just public posturing and won’t happen, as he suggested competitors are simply unhappy because the FIA ​​is holding back on the tricks they are given. competitive advantage.

“You are surprised, I read in the media that this is [the rule change] it’s not relevant, it’s not a big change, so why are they fighting what we’re threatening legally?” he said.

“No team will ever sue the FIA, number one. Also, if the FIA ​​decides to implement something for safety reasons. I’ll keep an eye on the boys. So I think it’s just posturing.”

Wolff believes that ultimately what the teams want on the matter doesn’t matter, as the most important thing is to make sure the drivers’ safety concerns about the bounce are sorted.

“I think it’s normal,” he said of the latest altercation. “There is an inherent problem of cars that we don’t see here, that we didn’t see in Austria, we didn’t see that at Silverstone either, because the tracks are the flattest of the year. But it did not disappear.

“The machines are too stiff and they bounce. And if you ask a driver, you’ll probably have a majority who, if asked anonymously, will tell you that.

“I think there was such a discussion among the drivers, and there is a result that no one is talking about. And I think we’ll see where it goes.”

When asked by Autosport whether he would accept a compromise, as a number of teams are known to be happy to accept a 10mm increase, Wolff said: “I think it’s not about compromises on technical regulations, but in the technical regulations that protect the riders. and if these cars are too stiff and too bouncy, then let’s do something about it right now.

“Obviously when you’re working ahead you just want to make sure nothing changes, and when you’re not working ahead you want to make sure a lot changes. So these are two spectrums of positions. what it really is. Let’s just ask the drivers.”

Wolff also laughed off criticism from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner Mercedes lobbied hard for the FIA ​​to change the rules simply to help their competitive success.

“I think he’s just bored at the front. So good for him,” he said. “Trying to work with the FIA ​​is always part of it.

“I don’t know what he means, because at the end of the day, we’re all part of the same circus. We work with the same stakeholders. Is he not lobbying? He sits in his office, doesn’t call anyone, and does his job?”