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Toto Wolff Reveals Key Reason Mercedes Won’t Join Rival Racing Series
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Highlights
- Mercedes declines joining WEC Hypercar class due to BoP rules.
- Toto Wolff opposes BoP’s performance monitoring and penalties.
- Mercedes focuses on GT3 category and new 2027 car development.
- Wolff advocates fixed budget cap over performance equalization methods.
- Mercedes returned to Le Mans in 2024 without Hypercar plans.
- Future WEC Hypercar involvement depends on rule changes, says Wolff.
He discussed this stance on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit! podcast, saying the team does not want officials monitoring technical factors such as power usage or car weight and then applying penalties or allowances. Wolff said, “We don’t like the BoP. We don’t want someone monitoring your power, your consumption, your weight, the abilities of your drivers.”
Mercedes last appeared at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1999 and returned this season but has shown no sign of a Hypercar project. Wolff described his ideal racing environment as one where the fastest car wins, without artificial handicaps. His views on regulatory approaches and team budgets align with his recent commentary related to McLaren’s racing rules.
Wolff described his ideal racing environment as one where the fastest car wins, without artificial handicaps.
He prefers a fixed budget cap, suggesting teams spend up to 30 or 40 million euros to create the best possible car under a clear set of rules. According to him, this approach would allow teams to develop innovative solutions while limiting costs and reducing the need for strategic deception during testing and qualifying.
Wolff stressed, “I just want to build the fastest car. Just put a financial ceiling that you can’t exceed.” He remains unconvinced by the BoP system’s ability to reward hard work and innovation.
Mercedes has instead chosen to focus its resources on the GT3 category, which fits better with its current objectives.
With the new GT3 model coming in 2027, the team has no active development in the Hypercar field.
Other manufacturers in Hypercar, such as Ferrari and Alpine, have dedicated budgets and separate engineering teams for their WEC efforts, but Mercedes prefers to concentrate on improvement and competition within GT3.
As the 2025 season calendar builds excitement with races at the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, and Spa-Francorchamps, fans continue to watch which manufacturers will join the Hypercar grid. For now, Mercedes has no plans to expand into the WEC’s top class unless major changes are made to the current competitive structure.
The team will continue on its path in Formula 1 and GT3, with any change in WEC involvement hinging on future rule updates.
Wolff remains clear that the existing rules would not deliver the type of racing Mercedes values. For further insights on Wolff’s defense of Mercedes’ strategy, see his recent statements.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
* The featured image is not a real photograph — it was created using AI.
