Toto Wolff, the director of Mercedes F1, did not intend to go to Suzuka after Singapore. He also left for Europe after the last race with the intention of staying at home. But events over F1 budgets could change his mind
As he suggested a few months ago, he wants to start missing more races. It would be his first time since 2019 and only his second in nine years.
Mercedes F1 has finally booked him a return flight to Suzuka, according to findings the FIA will deliver tomorrow on each team’s F1 budgets in 2021. The situation is tense with two teams, Red Bull and Aston Martin F1, reportedly overtaking the ceiling accordingly to leaks from within the FIA itself.
Red Bull admitted that clarifications were needed on certain expenses and remains confident that with its declarations, it remains under the maximum limit of 145 million dollars. It remains to be seen whether the FIA and its auditors accept these explanations or not…
Speaking more generally about the F1 calendar, which will expand to a record 24 races next season, Wolff said he plans to start missing a few events a year in order to stay fit.
« I’m going to start by skipping a few races. The whole team has to think about that too. It’s not viable for anyone to do 24 races. The drivers have to do it, but we [l’équipe de course] let’s start Monday at the office and continue until the end of the week. »
“We have to find a solution, and I think members of the racing team will skip a few races every year to survive.
« There are a few people who can take over some of my tasks. Not being physically present at the on-site briefings does not mean that I am not present. I have a complete setup from home, or there is a race control room at the factory, and I will attend every debriefing. I just won’t be there physically. »
