Andretti takes swipe at Wolff over F1 power – Motorsport Week

1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti has hit out at Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, suggesting the Austrian has too much influence in F1.

Andretti was responding to an article from GrandPrix247, which argued that Wolff has too much power in the sport.

Mario’s son Michael has been moving to form his own outfit in the F1 paddock to expand on his racing operations in IndyCar and Formula E.

However, the movement has been met with resistance from some parties, including Wolff.

Wolff was one of the more vocal team bosses that questioned Andretti’s potential F1 entry and the value that they would add to the grid.

“I think that whoever joins as the 11th team, whoever gets an entry, needs to demonstrate how creative they can be for the business.” Wolff said recently.

“Andretti is a great name, and I think they have done exceptional things in the US. But this is sport and this is business and we need to understand what is it that you can provide to the sport.”

The GrandPrix247 article questioned: “Is it not reasonable to question if his [Wolff’s] voice is louder than his peers, the other F1 team bosses?”

Taking to Twitter, Andretti provided his agreement: “This needed to be said; it’s about time,” he said.

Wolff currently has a 33 per cent stake in the Mercedes F1 team, with the other shares split between Daimler and Ineos.

Prior to joining Mercedes in 2013, Wolff was associated with the Williams squad from 2009, having shares in the team as well as being on its board of directors, before becoming its executive director in 2012.