Toto Wolff pinned as 'main force' behind controversial F1 rules

Formula E founder Alejandro Agag has identified Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff as the "main force" behind the introduction of Formula 1's new power unit regulations.

F1 has moved to a 50/50 split between electrical power and internal combustion under its new rules, which have caused controversy in the paddock.

Many drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, have strongly criticised the new regulations, with several comparisons being made to Formula E.

Mercedes competed in the all-electric series until the summer of 2022, at the conclusion of Formula E's eighth season.

It raced in the series as a factory team for three years, securing back-to-back teams' and drivers' titles.

According to Agag, when the Silver Arrows decided to leave the series ahead of the introduction of Gen3, it did so with the intention of taking the technology to F1.

The new F1 regulations represent its biggest step yet towards Formula E, and Wolff has been identified as a key figure behind their introduction.

"When Mercedes left here, it was because they wanted to take what existed in Formula E and bring it into Formula 1," Agag told Marca.

"The main force behind what we’re seeing in Formula 1 today is Mercedes and Toto Wolff.

"So Toto was here, he saw what was in place and said, ‘I’m going to take this to Formula 1 and effectively combine Formula 1 and Formula E.’ And because it was his idea, he now has an advantage, which is clear in the gap to the others.

"I don’t think that’s good for Formula 1. The sport should return to more combustion, to V8 engines, to more noise… and leave Formula E as the all-electric championship. Right now, it sits somewhere in between - it’s neither one thing nor the other."