Toto Wolff heard from complaining rivals

Photo: Race Pictures

Fed up Wolff slams speculation around Mercedes: 'Maybe I’ve been in the Epstein files'

13:05, 19 Feb

Updated: 14:05, 19 Feb

byTobia Elia

Wolff firmly denied rumours suggesting that Petronas fuel had yet to receive homologation ahead of the start of the season.

“I don’t know where that comes from and it starts spinning again. Maybe tomorrow we’ll invent something else, I don’t know. I’ve been in the Epstein files”

- Toto Wolff

After firmly dismissing the accusations surrounding the compression-ratio “trick”, the Silver Arrows’ team principal also delivered strong remarks regarding Petronas fuel, which, according to rumours, has not yet been approved ahead of the season-opening race in Melbourne.

“This is another of these stories. We were told the compression ratio was illegal, which is total bullshit, utter bullshit. And now the next story comes up that our fuel is illegal. I don’t know where that comes from and it starts spinning again. Maybe tomorrow we’ll invent something else, I don’t know. I’ve been in the Epstein files — God knows what.

He also added: “Another nonsense. This is a complicated topic and the whole process and all of this, but there’s just nothing to comment on.”

Is Toto Wolff deliberately trying to draw attention to Red Bull?

Photo: Race Pictures

Red Bull fuel gets the green light, but uncertainty grows around Mercedes

Reports emerging from Italian media on Tuesday suggested that several fuel manufacturers were working against time to secure FIA approval for the new sustainable fuels required by this season’s power units, with Mercedes and Red Bull allegedly still awaiting the green light.

GPblog understands, however, that ExxonMobil — fuel partner of Red Bull and Racing Bulls — has already received approval from the FIA ahead of the new season. As a result, both Red Bull-backed teams are not expected to face any issues or rely on provisional fuel specifications. Uncertainty remains instead around Petronas, the fuel supplier linked to Mercedes-powered teams.