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Wolff doubts three-car teams will gather enough support

Wolff doubts three-car teams will gather enough support

18-09-2018 08:01

Toto Wolff is almost certain his three-car team idea will not win enough support when it comes under scrutiny. He feels adding an extra car to the teams will increase the number of opportunities for younger drivers, but the cost will cause a limiting factor.

Mercedes currently have Esteban Ocon and George Russel in their ranks. Both of these are still without a confirmed drive in 2019.

"I like the idea because I felt more cars we had in the field, the more opportunity we give to young, exciting drivers to fight in a competitive car against experienced drivers, it would create more stories," Wolff told RaceFans talking through the idea.

Though the Mercedes team principal believes it's a very good idea, he doesn't expect the idea to gather much momentum.

"[Some] teams [are] saying that would mean three Mercedes, three Ferraris and three Red Bulls, and I respect that if I was involved in a smaller team, that would be an argument," added Wolff.

"And then the cost needs to be looking at, whether it is commercially viable to run a third car and have young drivers in there. Personally, I would really enjoy having a third Mercedes and put Pascal [Wehrlien] in there, or George or Esteban, and see what they would be able to do."

Wehrlien was dropped from the Mercedes junior bench. It sounds like he wouldn't have if three-cars had been in use.

While it would really help develop young drivers, the majority of teams just wouldn't be able to make it happen. Wolff would be better off copying the Red Bull/Toro Rosso type relationship.