Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is determined to see teams exposed for violating the cost cap regulations as the FIA takes stricter measures to enforce compliance.
In the previous season, both Red Bull and Aston Martin faced allegations of surpassing the spending limit; however, the details of the investigations from that year are still pending disclosure.
To ensure adherence to the cost cap, the FIA has adopted a proactive approach by requesting frequent updates on teams’ financial status instead of waiting until the end of the season. This proactive stance aims to keep the teams accountable and prevent any potential breaches.
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Toto Wolff’s commitment to fair play and financial transparency underlines his insistence on maintaining a level playing field in Formula 1. By tightening the reins on cost control, the FIA aims to uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure that all teams operate within the defined financial boundaries.
In a concerted effort to avoid a recurrence of the challenges faced in 2021, certain teams have been presented with extensive questionnaires comprising over 100 inquiries.
These detailed questionnaires serve as a preventive measure, aimed at gathering comprehensive information and insights from the teams. By delving into various aspects of their operations, the goal is to identify potential areas of concern and rectify any issues promptly.
When questioned by Motorsport.com about the possibility of teams exploiting the current system in place, Toto Wolff shared his thoughts on the matter: “I think so. Yes,”
“But the work that the FIA has put into auditing us was big work and big effort, and I have no doubt that they are going to do the same with the other teams. If someone has been cavalier or has cheated, then they’re going to find out.”
In alignment with Wolff’s perspective, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella concurs, highlighting the extensive measures implemented by the Woking-based team to ensure they remain compliant and avoid any potential penalties.
“We welcome very much this approach by the FIA, and we think that a strong policing is absolutely necessary,” Stella said.
“There’s quite a lot of complexity in how teams are structured, which can create opportunities or sometimes lack of clarity, and there could be some exploitation, let’s say.
“What we have created very recently is McLaren Advanced Projects, which is an engineering unit that is completely separate to the activity of the F1 team.
“It’s been created in light of what we knew was coming from a regulatory point of view, and we are working together with the FIA to, if anything, make the policing and the regulations even stricter here, because the cost gap is the fundamental element of creating a level playing field, which would make this sport and racing much more exciting.”
