Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff Backs New Formula One Engines

Mercedes F1 Exec Dir Toto Wolff said that the car manufacturers in F1 "are committed to the sport's new turbo hybrid engines," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner "wants to change the engines on the basis they are too expensive." But Wolff said that "Horner was speaking only on behalf of Red Bull and not Renault." Wolff said, "Mercedes, Renault, Ferrari and Honda are aligned on the power-unit specifications -- a V6 turbo hybrid as per the current rules. We all agree development of the internal combustion engine and hybrid system will remain a part of the rules" (BBC, 11/29). In a separate article, Benson wrote F1 bosses "have agreed to ditch the controversial double points rule." It was introduced for the final race of '14 "to keep the championship alive for as long as possible but was criticised by drivers, teams and fans." The agreement "needs ratifying at a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, but F1's legislative body is expected to rubber stamp it" (BBC, 11/27).