Mercedes agreed for F1 to ease its engine development restrictions because the sport needs more competitive teams.
That is the claim of Toto Wolff, after a key engine summit in Geneva last week also saw the FIA and Ferrari agree to tweaks that should help struggling Renault and Honda to catch up next year.
For 2016, the existing rules dictated that manufacturers would get only 25 'tokens', and all of them would have to be used before the start of the season.
However, at the Geneva meeting, it was agreed that the number of tokens next year will be increased to 32, with manufacturers also allowed to use them throughout the race season.
"In this case, we have put our hat on that we need a platform with competitive teams," Wolff told the German-language Spox.
"Honda and Renault want to be fighting with us at eye-level," he admitted. "So we cannot just take the hard line and always optimise the rules in our direction.
"Sometimes you have to give the others room to breathe. Honda entered a year later. Renault decided to become a factory team again.
"In this respect, an easing of the regulations is appropriate, saving us all this discussion that 'engine development is frozen and the others cannot catch up'," said Wolff.
"There is a level playing field, and I think that's important."
Wolff: "Rule tweaks give Renault and Honda more space to develop engine
- Published on 21 Oct 2015 11:08
-
1
- By: Kees Schooneman
Trending news
-
Hadjar sees only positives for Red Bull ahead of MonacoIsack Hadjar believes Red Bull Racing has finally identified the performance window it needs to challenge for victori...
29 May 2026 17:38 -
Why Fittipaldi believes Russell has already given up on 2026George Russell has drawn sharp criticism from former Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi after appearing to concede...
29 May 2026 16:36 -
Why McLaren insists Lambiase is not being groomed as Stella's successorMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has dismissed speculation that Gianpiero Lambiase is being groomed to succeed hi...
29 May 2026 15:33 -
Why Steiner calls Wolff his 'rockstar' of the Canadian GPGuenther Steiner has singled out Toto Wolff for praise after the Mercedes team principal allowed Kimi Antonelli and G...
29 May 2026 14:31 -
Why Martin Brundle defended Russell's angry headrest throwMartin Brundle has defended George Russell following the Mercedes driver's angry reaction to his retirement at th...
29 May 2026 13:29
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Bahrain
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 236,937 comments on Renault
26 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Renault
Replies (1)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Mercedes may not be in my top 3 teams, but its definitely a team I like and wish will stay. True sportsmen.
The new rules will definitely help both Renault and Honda. Honestly, they will help Ferrari and Mercedes too, they're bound to add a number of horses to their already impressives stables (PUs), but I think Renault and Honda will benefit more from it.