P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has quashed the suggestion that the Formula 1 cost cap was a leading reason for its disappointing showing throughout the ground-effect era.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff negated the idea that the Formula 1 cost cap significantly impacted the team’s recent lackluster performance during the ground-effect era. Despite dominating the early years of the V6 hybrid era, Mercedes struggled to maintain its winning streak and secure titles. The introduction of the cost cap in 2021 aimed to level the playing field in F1 and prevent excessive spending by teams like Mercedes. The team faced challenges with the W13 car featuring a sidepod-less design, falling behind Red Bull and Ferrari. Wolff emphasized that the cost cap did not hinder Mercedes significantly, as competitors like Red Bull and Ferrari had similar financial resources. He believes that in a meritocratic sport, the best driver and machine emerge victorious.
