Are Toto Wolff and Stefano Domenicali Responsible for F1’s Lack of Expansion?

Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, has in the past made known his opinion on the introduction of new teams in F1. Fans feel that there should be more teams in the sport, giving a seat to deserving drivers. However, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has taken a line similar to Wolff.

F1 fans have time and again supported the idea of the introduction of new teams. Such voices have gained volume lately after McLaren driver, Daniel Ricciardo, can’t find a seat next season. To such fans’ disappointment, the F1 boss has made his vision clear- he is not up for it.

Toto Wolff against the inception of new teams

Toto Wolff spoke on the issue during the Miami Grand Prix press conference. Michael Andretti had by then made his intentions of instituting his own team in F1 known. Toto said that he is sure that an American team with an American driver will be beneficial. However, he wasn’t convinced about how it would benefit the existing teams.

He said, “we have 10 entries today. We divide the prize fund amongst those 10 entries. We have invested considerable amounts over the last 10 years. Each of the organizations that are sitting here on the podium has probably put more than a billion into their Formula 1 projects over the years”.

Toto continued by saying that a new entry would mean a 10% dilution for existing teams.

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If the new entrant is able to demonstrate their value in the sport, all the existing teams will cheer their entry. McLaren boss Zak Brown echoed a similar sentiment.

Stefano Domenicali does not think a new team is what F1 needs

Domenicali spoke to SkySports on the need for new seats in F1 after Daniel Ricciardo was unable to land a seat for himself next season. He said that Daniel is a great driver who is in a difficult stage in his career and that he hopes that he can find a seat in 2023.

Emphasizing the need to be balanced, he said, “You need to see all the things that are around the table. Having more drivers… at the end of the day there is always a limit at which you can go.”

The F1 boss said that F1 right now is very cutthroat. A new team would not only have to be “extremely competitive” but also financially strong. That, he said, to make sure that the stability of the system is set for the long term.

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The statement comes as a disappointment not just for Ricciardo fans, but for F1 fans in general.