\n<\/p>\n
Wolff’s remarks come in the context of an ongoing row over the legality of the Mercedes engine.<\/p>\n
Rivals believe Mercedes have found a loophole that allows them to run the engine above the permitted compression ratio.<\/p>\n
This – a measurement of the cylinder displacement between the two extremes of the piston stroke – is limited to 16:1, and the rules dictate it will be measured at ambient temperature with the engine at rest.<\/p>\n
Mercedes’ rivals believe they have found a way to use materials technology and thermal expansion to run the engine to a higher ratio and are pushing for a rule clarification before the start of the season next month.<\/p>\n
Mercedes have not denied they are doing this, but insist the engine is legal.<\/p>\n
Rivals have claimed the trick is worth as much as 0.3secs per lap, while Wolff said the gain was “a few horsepower – in England you would say a couple, which is more like two and three”.<\/p>\n
He added: “Lobbying from the other engine manufacturers has massively ramped up over the last few months.<\/p>\n
“I mean, secret meetings, secret letters to the FIA, which obviously there is no such thing as secret in this sport.<\/p>\n
“Everybody was a little bit too excited about the performance of the Mercedes engine-powered teams.<\/p>\n
“And I think that our colleagues from the other brands have been carried away a little bit that this could be embarrassing, which I don’t think it is at all.”<\/p>\n
On the prospect of the rules changing before the start of the season, he said: “There is a governance process. And if that governance were to vote for an engine regulation change, you just have to take it on the chin.”<\/p>\n
But he said: “The very essence of Formula 1 is to find performance, to attract the best engineers and the best people, give them freedom to develop regulations and once it goes for you and another time it goes against you.”<\/p>\n
Williams team principal James Vowles, who is a Mercedes customer, said: “The PU that we have in the car is completely compliant with the regulations. This is a meritocracy where the best engineering outcome effectively gets rewarded as a result, not punished as a result.<\/p>\n
“Right now, I don’t think there is a person in the pit lane that can tell you what is the best PU. We are focused on one detail.<\/p>\n
“My hope is that sense prevails and we as a sport recognise that we are here to be a meritocracy. The best engineering solution wins as a result of it and therefore we are where we are right now.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n