FIA President’s Assertive Approach Beneficial for Formula 1, Says Toto Wolff
In recent comments, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the FIA presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, marked by a firm leadership style, has yielded significant advantages for Formula 1. This acknowledgment comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding the FIA’s stricter regulations, including a controversial ‘swearing ban’ and the push for the inclusion of an 11th F1 team.
During the Austrian GP weekend, Wolff stated, "You can’t deny that he’s ruling with an iron fist. He doesn’t let anyone tell him what to do. That can have its advantages." While Wolff and Sulayem have previously clashed on various issues, tensions have reportedly eased in recent months.
Key Developments on Regulations
The FIA’s ‘swearing ban,’ which faced substantial backlash upon its introduction, has been revised. As of April, penalties for swearing have been reduced from €10,000 to €5,000, with provisions for first-time offenders to have penalties suspended. Notably, exceptions were made for swearing in uncontrolled environments, such as team radio communications.
Wolff supports the ban, emphasizing the importance of drivers acting as role models. "Kids need to learn not to insult others on the radio," he stated, pointing out that derogatory comments might not translate well for non-native English speakers in high-pressure situations.
He added further context, expressing concern over the influence of professional drivers on younger competitors: “The eight-, nine-, 10-year-olds talk like the pros. They’re obviously their role models; I think it’s good that the president is taking a strong stance on this.”
Future of Team Expansion in F1
Another area of contention has been the push for the entry of an 11th team into the grid, initially led by Michael Andretti. However, Wolff’s perspective shifted positively once Cadillac’s backing for the project was confirmed, supporting the potential inclusion of the team by 2026.
“I think he probably got it right with the 11th team,” Wolff admitted, while expressing earlier reservations about the original Andretti-led efforts. This revised approach, he believes, will ultimately benefit the sport. “A Cadillac works team is good for the sport. So something positive came out of it,” he concluded.
These developments indicate a potential paradigm shift within F1, as the governing body continues to assert its regulatory authority while navigating the complex dynamics of team expansions and driver conduct.
