Toto Wolff hits back at critics of Mercedes W15’s front wings, insists they are legal and have gone ‘through the FIA process’

Mercedes were accused for using an illegal front wing.

Toto Wolff hits back at critics of Mercedes W15’s front wings, insists they are legal and have gone ‘through the FIA process’

Mercedes revealed their 2024 challenger last week at Brackley. Since its reveal, rivals and the paddock have speculated whether the W15’s front wing was legal as per the regulations. However, the team principal, Toto Wolff, has fired back at the speculators and claimed that the car is following the regulations.

Since the W15 was spotted on track, people have joined in on the speculations surrounding the legality of the front wing. The team seems to have found a grey area in the rulebook and has made a minuscule top flap in the front wing. Now, the Austrian has called out the rivals and is convinced that the front wing is entirely legal.

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What has been put on the car is always following an exchange with the FIA, all through the process. It's no such a thing that you have a clever idea and then you bolt it on to test and you think that could be or couldn't be challenged. That is a long process of dialogue that happens over the winter. So I feel we're in an ok place.
Toto Wolff said as reported by skysports.com

The 52-year-old has made it clear that the team had talks with FIA regarding the front wing’s elements, and has received approval for the same. The German manufacturer is currently focusing on developing and testing the car throughout the pre-season testing. On Wednesday, George Russell had completed more than 120 laps and collected crucial data.

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What were Toto Wolff’s reactions on W15’s first day of testing?

The team had completed more than a century of laps yesterday at the hands of Russell. Following the completion, Wolff seemed optimistic about the car’s performance and has reacted to the same.

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff
The mood in the camp is positive. We had a car [in 2023] that was a handful and difficult to understand sometimes why it was doing what it was doing. That has been the emphasis for this season to have a stable platform from we can actually develop onwards. Let's see if we have that.
Toto Wolff said as reported by Si.com.

The Austrian claimed that an optimistic mindset was present in the team. The team were troubled by the previous year’s car and is happier with the W15 considering its improvements.

The team now takes on the rest two days of the testing and will be looking to collect more data throughout this time. The Austrian looks on towards the first race in Bahrain and would wish to challenge the Red Bulls.

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