Audi team boss draws firm line in Mercedes engine loophole debate

Speaking to GPblog among other media in Bahrain during the final morning of testing, the former Red Bull sporting director said he has complete confidence in the FIA’s work to ensure full regulatory compliance.

“And the FIA, I have absolute faith in there. We have absolute faith in their process. We know they're a safe pair of hands. And the FIA have always been here to make sure it's a level playing field.”

While the Austrian initially responded forcefully at the car launch press conference to rival teams raising concerns over Mercedes’ engine solution, his tone appeared more measured a week on.

With several competitors having since approached the FIA, Wolff acknowledged there is some uncertainty over whether the power unit and its disputed concept will ultimately be cleared to continue running.

“All along the process, obviously, when you design an engine, you're keeping the FIA very close to the decisions you make. And that's what we did. We have had all the assurances that it was what we did was according to the rules” he told GPblog in Bahrain.