Wolff not accusing Ferrari of 'illegal' engine
- Published on 23 Jul 2018 09:13
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- By: Jeroen Jonkers
Toto Wolff has played down reports Ferrari's 2018 power unit could be 'illegal'.
"We do not ask ourselves that," said the Mercedes boss.
At Hockenheim, with Ferrari clearly now leading in the horse power stakes, rumours swirled that a supposed trick with Ferrari's turbocharger had some rivals suspicious.
"It's not our attitude," Wolff added.
"We don't point the finger at other manufacturers. Instead, we ask ourselves 'Have we missed something?'"
However, he admitted that talks with the other manufacturers and the FIA will take place.
"We're working very closely with the FIA and also with the other manufacturers, but most of it is not in the public," said Wolff.
"Meetings such as this take place all the time to discuss various topics that have nothing to do with the Ferrari engine specifically."
Asked if he is 'worried' about Ferrari's engine power boost, Wolff answered: "Yes I am.
"But if Ferrari can make a step like that, then we have to be able to as well."
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Replies (10)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
Where does they performance increase originate from? Rosberg said it was the Ferrari battery pack?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
From what I've heard thats correct, but rather than giving more peak power compared to the rivals, its more efficient.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
So you are saying you didnt ask the FIA earlier to check on it further? Wake up mr Wolff. Wake up, and smell the ashes.
reg
Posts: 162
Let's all be frank about this, not all new good engine/powertrain ideas originate at Mercedes, I am sure both Honda and Renault are getting more pwer than both Merc and Ferrari in certain areas, but (obviously) less in other areas. It os all about having the optimum right through the system and it appears Ferrari have overtaken Mercedes after years and years (its seems like forever) of Mercedes doing it better| From a personal standpoint I hope this lasts and lasts. Squeezing more power out is the name of the game and for people to suggest Ferrari are now "cheating" is bizarre, after all no one suggested Mercedes were "cheating" over the last 3-4 years did they!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dunno about power, but you are probably right that they have their own share of specific advantages. Not sure what Renault has, but Mercedes dominate in outright ICE power, Ferrari now has a more efficient electrical engine, and Honda has the most compact PU. It'll be interesting to see when the next big step is taken, and who it is that takes it.
wongrayw
Posts: 17
ferrari = illegal engine.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Utter rubbish. Like always in F1, teams find out what is not covered in the rules and exploit the advantage. What is different here is Merc don’t like to be outsmarted, 1st with electrical power and now with Turbo boost.
Twiinzspeed
Posts: 18
by saying he is not, that is exactly what he is implying. Bit of sour grapes from Toto. I also hope Ferrari continue to out power the Silver Arrows. If Merc has a bit better chasis and Ferrari has the Power advantage, we will have more great races. To bad Seb binned it this week. I think Lewis was sweating it pretty bad in qualy. If Ferari can take a W next week, things will be pretty interesting through the Fall. On a seperate note, if Honda still sucks next year, I pitty their PR dept, because RBR will be more brutal than MClaren were...
f1ski
Posts: 726
the fact that ferrari is running 2 batteries that seem as 1 ask me why.There must be a charge rate advantage to have 2 small batteries full which can be dione running high rpm via the turbo. the 2 separate cells can then be run in series or parallel giving more torque or life.MB didn't need to cheat as the rules were stacked in their favor. now that MB is relying on their driver to provide the performance difference tires don't last as long
F1todayfan101
Posts: 120
Two batteries in parallel may give a lower overall internal resistance and lead to the power advantage you describe. It may also offer a thermal and efficiency advantage as I2R losses go down.