Wolff calls for 2017 regulations to be scrapped

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wants the 2017 regulation changes to be scrapped as he believes the current rules have brought teams closer together.

While Mercedes has won all three races so far this season, Ferrari has been a threat on two occasions but a strategic error cost Sebastian Vettel a chance of victory in Australia. The Chinese Grand Prix saw the two Ferraris collide and Nico Rosberg enjoyed a comfortable victory, but behind him there were plenty of exciting battles.

With the 2017 bodywork regulations having been agreed upon earlier this year but facing a final sign-off at the end of the month, Wolff believes F1 should stick with the current regulations in order to the performance gap to close.

“We have an important week ahead for the sport, with our final Strategy Group meeting to define the regulations for 2017,” Wolff said. “After three Grand Prix weekends so far in 2016, we have seen that performance between the teams is converging to create great racing.

“Whether we have the reactivity as a group to recognise that and consider retaining a regulatory framework that is working well remains to be seen.”

Classic F1 - Sweden 1977: Ligier and Laffite's 'Jour de Gloire'

Derek Warwick - Race of my life

Technical analysis - Shanghai

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Gasly held off Verstappen at Suzuka with ‘best car of my career’

The sparks were flying at Suzuka – and right in the thick of it, Pierre…

11 hours ago

Vowles calls Suzuka ‘painful’ – draws ‘line in the sand’ for Williams

The mood around Williams Racing has taken a distinctly ominous turn, as James Vowles confronts…

11 hours ago

Ferrari’s ‘good weekend’ at Suzuka blunted by key SF-26 deficit

Last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix delivered another trophy for Ferrari’s cabinet, but team boss Fred…

13 hours ago

A milestone 15th career win for Hill in Brazil

On this day in 1996, Damon Hill took the checkered flag at the Brazilian Grand…

15 hours ago

Colapinto's management hits back after Bearman's Suzuka crash

Franco Colapinto’s management team stepped in after last Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix to defend the…

15 hours ago

Krack: First race finish for Aston Martin ‘no reason to celebrate’

An Aston Martin car finally crossed the finish in 2026, with Fernando Alonso completing the…

16 hours ago