Kolles blames stubborn Todt for Formula 1 problems

Former team boss Colin Kolles has pointed the finger squarely at Jean Todt, president of F1’s governing body over a “massive regulations problem” within the sport.

Kolles, formerly in charge at Force India and most recently HRT, agrees with Bernie Ecclestone that formula one needs to urgently rethink its engine rules.

The current turbo V6 ‘power unit’ regulations are highly controversial: unpopularly quiet and complex, expensive for struggling teams, and restrictive in helping uncompetitive Renault and Honda catch dominant Mercedes.

“I think we have a massive regulations problem,” Kolles told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV. “I was at many meetings, if not all the meetings, that were about this engine.

“The current FIA president was warned about the problems we have now,” Kolles charged, referring to Jean Todt. “He just refused to listen.

“Mr Ecclestone tried for years to stop it, but the FIA was stubborn in what is actually now a massive problem for everyone in Formula 1,” he added.

Kolles also blasted Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff for “denying and blocking everything” as proposals did the rounds about how to react to the problem. But his most hefty criticism is saved for Frenchman Todt, the FIA chief.

“Today’s FIA president intervenes hardly at all with Formula 1 – he has other priorities,” said Kolles. “I think somebody needs to speak up.”