Three-Car Teams still a Possibility for 2016

  • Published on 16 Oct 2015 18:14
  • comments 0
  • By: Harry Shovelar

Mercedes Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff believes that 3-car teams still could be on the cards for the 2016 season, as Red Bull and Toro Rosso's future remains unknown.

The rules as they are now, state that in the event that the grid falls bellow 18 cars then the top teams: Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Mclaren will be allowed to run a third car.

Although Wolff would not like to see Red Bull drop out of the sport, he is, however, a keen supporter for 3-car teams. Irrespective whether Red Bull stay or not, the Austrian did confirm to Autosport that he would want teams to deploy a third car regardless.

"Now whether it is with Red Bull or without, I would rather have third cars and a grid of 26 or 28 cars in Formula 1."

The benefits for those who will run an additional car will provide an opportunity to increase revenues and media exposure. Also, it will open up a chance for young drivers to work their way into Formula 1, rather than today's grid that is made up of paid drivers and graduates of team's Young Drivers' Program. Therefore, having more seats available will act as a greater incentive for meritocracy.

"It would enable the smaller teams to place drivers and raise revenue by having them in the car," said Wolff.

"It would give teams more TV exposure and more media coverage with having a third car".

"Also, it would give young drivers the chance of driving in a competitive car in a competitive environment, stepping up from junior categories.

"We haven't seen many young drivers getting into Formula 1 recently, apart from through the Red Bull programme.

"There are many boys out there who deserve to be in Formula 1, and this [third cars] would be a good solution, a good possibility of benchmarking them against the very best."

Timing is not an issue - with next years first test under four months away - it is only a question of finance. Although it is viable, it's still a test of the big teams' resources.

"We have crunched the numbers and I wouldn't want to quote them officially, but all the teams were asked to look at the numbers a while ago and it is all pretty similar, so financially viable."

Written by: Harry Shovelar

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 16:10

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 16:10

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar