Toto Wolff watched with frowned eyebrows the news that drivers and teams will henceforth not be allowed to make political statements without FIA approval. The Austrian team boss hopes the organisation will take another look at the new rule, he told The Sun.
In doing so, Wolff stands up for Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who is known for standing up against discrimination and racism. Along with Sebastian Vettel, who quit Formula 1 at the end of last calendar year, he attracted attention around race weekends, including online and during press conferences.
Wolff hopes for future conversation
That promises to be a lot trickier this season, as the Briton would first have to seek permission from the FIA. For Wolff, it is clear that FIA boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Hamilton would do well to sit around the table and see how arrangements can be made.
"We need to see how this really pans out," Wolff stated in conversation with the medium. "We understand that sport is not here to mix with politics but on the contrary and to unite. I have no doubt Mohammed and the FIA mean well and want to achieve the right things."
The Mercedes team boss is sure they will understand each other. "When Lewis has spoken with Mohammed in the past it has always ended up in a positive discussion, so when people sit around the table together I don't think things will be as harsh as they are written down."