Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says the independent Formula 1 engine proposal will not work and the idea of having two specifications "does my head in".

The FIA and Bernie Ecclestone are keen to offer independent teams a cheaper power unit and put forward a suggestion of an alternative 'budget' engine supply from a single source to drive down costs.

On Friday, the governing body began its search for a company build the engine by calling for expressions of interest.

Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost has backed the idea but Wolff has voiced his concern over the prospect, arguing it would be impossible to achieve performance equivalence.

The 'Balance of Performance' concept is common in sportscar series where different engine types compete, and Wolff is sceptical about it.

"Personally, I think many of us and many of you share the opinion that the 'balance of performance' engine doesn't work in Formula 1," he told reporters after Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying.

"It doesn't even work in any other category.

"We hear the aggravation in GT racing and it does my head in hearing ideas.

"It's like we are completely stuck, eyes closed, on what happens in other series and the problems around that, that somebody just pulls a rabbit out of his pocket and says, 'why don't we do that?'

"But I'm not surprised to hear - let's call it 'interesting' - new concepts, from around the corner. That happens regularly."

Wolff questioned the concept of putting one set of regulations in place and then moving the goalposts after the existing manufacturers had already invested heavily.

He insisted F1's bosses need to decide what they want the series to be.

"I think there are some legitimate causes, the price is a legitimate question," he said.

"Is the price good, low enough for the small teams? And that question can be raised.

"Is the engine and its concept right for Formula 1? That can be discussed.

"But it seems to me that we are going in cycles, that at certain stages we want to be road relevant and the pinnacle of technology, want to attract constructors...

"But once you have the constructors on board like we have now, four constructors, all sharing the same opinion, then you believe, 'oh, actually we don't want constructors in the sport, we would rather have it like GP2'."