Jean Todt: Mercedes did “a better job” on the V6 Turbo
Jean Todt, participating in the debate on the issue of entertainment, also believes that it is too early to judge the 2014 version of F1 and that Mercedes has done a better job on an engine regulation known to all for 5 years.
It’s Jean Todt’s turn to share his opinion on the issue of Formula 1 regulations, as the debate rages within the paddock. A meeting is reportedly scheduled between the Frenchman, Bernie Ecclestone, and Luca di Montezemolo on this issue, this Sunday in Sakhir. While the latter two agree, believing that changes are needed, the FIA president holds an opposing position.
He first believes, for our German colleagues from Auto Motor und Sport, that it is too early to judge F1 version, joining in this Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso: « Making a judgment after two races is like George Lucas or Brad Pitt speaking ill of their next film: “Don’t come see it! ».
Like Toto Wolff, this time, he also reminds that the regulation took no one by surprise and that, in this respect, Mercedes has performed the most effective work on its V6 Turbo hybrid: « Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari have known for 5 years which engines would be used this year. Mercedes simply did a better job. That’s motorsport. »
“He has no illusions about the fact that if regulatory changes are mentioned or considered, the teams with a German block would be reluctant: « Everyone should accept [these modifications], but why would teams powered by Mercedes do that? »
On the other underlying issue, that of the noise produced by the V6 engines, the FIA president maintains his position: « I can understand that people think the noise is too low. So we will look into ways to make it a bit louder. »
When faced with Luca di Montezemolo’s criticisms, president of Ferrari, regarding the new way of driving an F1 car, focusing on economy, especially fuel, Jean Todt dismisses them and puts the Italian on the defensive: « Luca should first speak with his engineers, and then he would be better informed. There has always been fuel economy, even with last year’s V8s. How many times have we heard on the radio: “You need to save fuel”? »
Lauda makes his statements
For his part, Niki Lauda did not hesitate to add his two cents to this discussion in the columns of *Autosprint*: “Why didn’t they change everything last year when Red Bull was winning everything?”
He scolds, in this regard, Helmut Marko, the head of the Red Bull program: « [Last year] I was happy for him. But now I tell him: “Helmut, you can’t always win!” The new rules were decided 5 years ago. They are a fact and we have to live with them. »
« Red Bull, for the moment, is not acting in accordance with its supposed fun and energetic image, » concluded the non-executive director of Mercedes.
