Wolff contradicts Horner: "Must avoid building the engines like this"

Formula 1's current engine regulations, which penalise drivers for using more than three engines, are not loved by all team bosses. Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said he is not a fan of the current limit. His rival Toto Wolff on the other hand doesn't see how things should be done differently.

Many people don't like the fact that grid penalties can influence the final score in the world championship. However, Wolff cannot think of an alternative to the current system. "I think the penalty system on power units is pretty robust," he replied when asked by Motorsport.com whether the concept of grid penalties should be reviewed.

Wolff satisfied with current system

"Because what we need to avoid is that we are building power units in a way that they perform at peak performance for only a few races," the Mercedes team boss continued. "And if you change regulations, and you say okay, there is no grid penalty for the driver, but just constructor points, it will still mean that teams, if you're in a fight for a driver championship, will just throw engines at that car."

The Austrian is open to any alternative solutions though. "I think if we come up with good solutions definitely it is worth looking at," said Wolff. "It's confusing for the new fans why, out of the driver's responsibility, an engine penalty puts him at the back of the grid, or 10 or five places away. And that's clearly not great, but I haven't got the solutions."