Wolff negotiates based on facts: 'Overselling is not the right way'

After being a dominant force in Formula 1 from 2014 until 2020, the new technical regulations introduced in 2022 set Mercedes back. Team principal Toto Wolff is positive that his team will get the 2026 regulations right, and the facts about how their development stands should be enough to sign a driver.

"I'm really not good at selling, to be honest. I think that I try to... You don't believe me. It is down to facts," Wolff told written press back at the Chinese Grand Prix about possibly 'selling' their project in order to sign a contract. Mercedes are in need to sign someone after it has been announced that Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari 2025 onwards.

"Overselling something in order to attract someone or something isn't the right way. I think we're having a development trajectory," the Austrian team principal added.

Wolff believes based on what they want to achieve and how things stand within his team, he is not talking up their project. "We've set ourselves ambitious targets that we believe are necessary in order to perform on a strong level. These are, let's say, facts on the current understanding. But obviously, if there's someone from our competitors that develops a moonshot project. Who knows?"

Wolff concluded: "So, I'm not good at convincing. I just say what I think it is."