Todt: "Dominance in motorsport is just part of it"

Jean Todt has played down the need to stop Mercedes' dominance of F1, arguing that it has always been a feature of the sport. While the FIA has agreed with future measures like engine performance 'convergence', F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone appears determined to stop the German marque's now two and a half year run of almost constant winning. "I want to change things. I want to stop Mercedes dominating," Ecclestone told Britain's Sky in Barcelona last weekend.

But FIA president Todt said it is strange to hear the voices of those suggesting Mercedes' dominance is unprecedented. "I always wonder if people have selective memory," the Frenchman told Finland's MTV Sport. "Dominance in motor sport, or even in sport is general, is just a part of it," Todt added.

"50 years ago it was Lotus and Jim Clark and Colin Chapman, then there was Williams' domination, McLaren's domination, Ferrari's domination, Red Bull's domination and now it's Mercedes' domination," he said. "Instead of talking only about one team's domination, we should be encouraging all of the others to make every effort in order to catch up with them and beat them," added Todt.

Ferrari has been steadily closing the gap to Mercedes since 2015 and Red Bull broke through for its first win of the season last time out in Spain. Mercedes parent Daimler's chairman Dieter Zetsche said he welcomes the competition. "Absolutely," he told Britain's Channel 4. "I like it when it's getting tight. As I said before the season, I would like to win the championship in the last race by 1 point." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

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