Toto Wolff suggests 2021 F1 rules have been made to cease Mercedes dominance after Lewis Hamilton’s seventh title

In 2021, Mercedes controversially misplaced the drivers’ championship for the primary time in eight years; Max Verstappen went face to face with Lewis Hamilton in one of the vital dramatic seasons in F1’s historical past; watch the Singapore GP dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 beginning this Friday

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff questions whether or not Max Verstappen would maintain any significance to setting a brand new document of ten consecutive Grand Prix wins

Toto Wolff has advised the 2021 Method 1 rules have been made to harm Mercedes, which was one purpose why they misplaced the drivers’ championship.

Mercedes entered 2021 on the again of a record-equalling seventh world title for Lewis Hamilton however quickly realised they might face a giant battle with Pink Bull and Max Verstappen.

In mid-2020, modifications to the ground rules have been introduced for the 2021 season which noticed limits to the ground in a bid to decelerate the automobiles and cut back downforce.

These modifications appeared to harm the low-rake automobiles probably the most, together with Mercedes and Aston Martin. Hamilton controversially misplaced the drivers’ title on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Verstappen following a late-race security automotive.

“We misplaced the 2021 drivers’ championship for a lot of causes. One was the ultimate race. However we additionally misplaced it as a result of these rules have been set in place so as cut back the benefit we had,” defined Wolff.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Jenson Button provides his ideas on Lewis Hamilton’s newest feedback on Max Verstappen’s driving companions, in addition to wanting on the future for Lando Norris

“2020 had been an excellent dominant yr for us. I feel it was the very best automotive we ever had. Then, in the direction of the top of the season, they modified the rules by reducing the ground and that was to cease us.

“We noticed the ends in 2021, we weren’t as aggressive as Pink Bull was however at Silverstone we unlocked extra potential of the automotive and obtained ourselves again into the championship. These rules have been focused to reset the pecking order.”

Wolff: F1 cannot be WWE

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Singapore Grand Prix

Mercedes have been the final group to beat Pink Bull – finally yr’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix – and since then, the Milton Keynes-based outfit have gained an unprecedented 15 races in a row.

Verstappen is setting new data himself as he’s on track to set new benchmarks for probably the most wins and podiums in a season. He has already made historical past with probably the most consecutive victories for a driver and is wanting so as to add to his 10 straight wins this weekend on the Singapore Grand Prix – dwell on Sky Sports activities F1.

Mercedes went by way of their very own dominant seasons between 2014 and 2016, plus 2020, after they have been clearly in a league of their very own.

Wolff says it’s as much as Mercedes to catch up, reasonably than guidelines being modified to decelerate a dominant group.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Talking on the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast, Nico Rosberg reveals the intense bodily problem drivers face throughout a race weekend in Singapore

“As a group principal, I do not need to soar on the bandwagon that others have finished prior to now of claiming ‘we have to change the rules as a result of we won’t proceed with the dominance of a group’,” he mentioned.

“If a group dominates in the best way Max has finished with Pink Bull then it is honest dues. It is a meritocracy. So long as you adjust to the rules, technical sporting and monetary, you simply have to say ‘effectively finished’. It is as much as us to catch up and if that takes a very long time, then it takes a very long time.

“I bear in mind individuals crying foul when it was us. Leisure follows sport and never the opposite method round. We won’t be WWE, with scripted content material. We do not need to be scripted content material.”

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Max Verstappen had a weekend to neglect final yr in Singapore following a fuel-shortage blunder in qualifying and an error-filled race the place he completed seventh

Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Singapore GP schedule

Friday September 15
10am: Singapore GP Observe One (session begins at 10.30pm)
1.45pm: Singapore GP Observe Two (session begins at 2pm)
3.30pm: The F1 Present

Saturday September 16
10.15am: Singapore GP Observe Three (session begins at 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: Singapore GP Qualifying
3.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book

Sunday September 17
11.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book

Subsequent up for the F1 circus are the gorgeous streets of Singapore beneath the lights. All periods from the Singapore GP can be dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 from September 15-17. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime