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Wolff - Mercedes quitting F1 is 'conceivable'

Toto Wolff says F1 should not take for granted Mercedes' presence in F1 beyond 2020, if the sport's new rules don't cater to its best interests.

The boss of the Silver Arrows outfit admits to being disappointed with Liberty Media's lack of vision one year after taking over Formula 1.

"Doing erratic actions like Michael Buffer in Austin does not make the sport any better," Wolff told Germany's Kronen Zeitung.

"We do not see any vision. Nobody knows where the journey is going. All we know now is that sales and profits have fallen sharply."

Teams took note of Liberty's recent proposal outlining the power unit of the future and its will to introduce a budget cap of sorts.

Ferrari's Marchionne threatens to pull out of F1!

Unfortunately, the draft left Ferrari so unimpressed that chairman Sergio Marchionne threatened to quit the sport after 2020 should Liberty pursue an dumbed-down engine concept favoring standardisation.

Wolff echoed the Italian manager's view, insisting that not only should Ferrari's quit threat be taken seriously, Mercedes could actually follow suit!

"Such a scenario is quite conceivable. Just as it is for Ferrari," said Wolff.

"Everything Marchionne says must be taken seriously.

"F1 must remain the pinnacle of technology and the best competition, and if you dilute this message with standard specifications and false situations that penalise the best and help the weakest, I think that's not our DNA," Wolff added.

"If we do not see what Formula 1 stands for, then we have to ask ourselves the difficult question: not if but where do we want to operate in motor sport at the highest level?" he added.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.