Wolff does not fear strict budget cap controls: "We are a role model for other teams"

The FIA recently added a new technical directive aimed at preventing Formula 1 teams from circumventing budget limits through various ancillary activities. Known as TD45, the measure was introduced following suspicions that some teams were paying personnel who are not officially part of the F1 team but still contribute to the development of the cars. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is pleased with the new regulation and expects it to work well.

"I definitely think these measures will help," Wolff shared with Motorsport.com. "Considering the amount of work and time the FIA has invested in monitoring us, I have no doubt they will do the same with other teams. If anyone has broken the rules, they will surely find out." The Austrian emphasized the importance of teams adhering to the regulations, especially when it can provide them with significant advantages. "Violations must be punished, plain and simple. We don't want any cheating."

According to Wolff, the FIA's checks and requirements regarding TD45 posed a considerable burden on the team. "The questions asked, the paperwork we had to fill out, everything was thorough and quite challenging to complete. It took a significant amount of our time." Nevertheless, the Mercedes chief is pleased with the FIA's commitment to thorough scrutiny. "Budget limits are genuinely difficult to enforce. I am glad the FIA is approaching it so diligently and doing everything possible to enforce them." After the initial round of submissions, Mercedes had to put in extra effort. "We received nearly a hundred questions requesting more detailed information. I appreciate their thoroughness."

"Our team doesn't have to change anything"

The thorough inspections don't worry Wolff at all, as his team has nothing to hide. "We have an entity dedicated to Formula 1. Everything is transparent, the books are open. We don't have any special arrangements, and everything is out in the open, so we're not concerned," the team principal emphasized. "We have nothing to hide. Every detail is known to the FIA, and I believe we set an example for other teams in this regard." Mercedes is not worried in the slightest and has faith in the FIA's meticulous checks. "Things are heading in the right direction," Wolff concludes.