Toto Wolff claims F1 should adopt the NFL model for the addition of new teams

Toto Wolff urged F1 follow the NFL approach in the process of adding another team on the grid.

Toto Wolff claims F1 should adopt the NFL model for the addition of new teams

Toto Wolff (Credits: Getty images)

Formula 1’s popularity has grown immensely in recent years. This has led to new teams being interested in joining the sport. The FIA launched the application for new entrants earlier this year, with Andretti-Cadillac and Hitech GP being the known candidates. However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes that F1 should follow the format in sports leagues such as the NFL for adding another team.

Wolff mentioned that currently, there is no other major sporting series except F1, where the present teams are not asked for approval for a new entrant. The 51-year-old mentioned that a new team would receive a major chunk of the commercial benefits enjoyed by the rest of the grid. Currently, F1 teams are not part of the decision-making process for new teams as FIA and F1 will take this decision.

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He told skysports, “There is no mature sports league in the world. Whether it’s a national football championship, or the Champions League, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, where such situation is possible, where you say, ‘I’m setting up a team and I’m joining, thank you very much for making me part of the prize fund.”

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Moreover, Toto Wolff explained the entire model for the entry of a new team in the NFL. The Austrian billionaire suggested that F1 follow this approach as the teams are no less than franchises. He stated, “If everybody in the NFL agrees. The teams that own the franchise there… agrees to have another entry… because of the right reasons, the right ownership, etc, then that team is being admitted into the championship. We are a franchise. And this is how I would look at it.”

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Toto Wolff unhappy with the current F1 team entry process

Toto Wolff and Mohammed Ben Sulayem (image via GPFans0
Toto Wolff and Mohammed Ben Sulayem (image via GPFans0

The Mercedes team boss believed that only when a new team bid convinces all the teams should it be allowed to enter the sport. However, Wolff has clarified that so far, no proposal has met the required criteria for the current teams. Although, the 51-year-old pointed out that F1 teams do not get to see the applications. As the new team applications are only available to F1 and the FIA.

Toto Wolff mentioned that allowing a new team dilutes the prize fund and the commercial benefits of the sport. This has become the focal point of concern for the existing teams as they do not want to give away a part of their revenue. Previously, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that the FIA would allow new teams if they meet the criteria set by the sports governing body. As such, the teams and the FIA seem to be at odds with one another.

Thus, Toto Wolff has suggested a new approach to team entries in F1. The Mercedes team boss urged the sport to adopt the model followed by major sporting leagues like the NFL. This would ensure that a new entrant is fully committed to the sport and can truly bring significant contributions. However, it remains to be seen if Wolff’s words are considered by F1 or the FIA.

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