Wolff backs 'transparent F1' over Red Bull-AlphaTauri links

Toto Wolff has issued his backing for the "transparency" of Formula 1 after concerns from some teams over the increased closeness of Red Bull and AlphaTauri.

Already the junior squad to Red Bull, AlphaTauri is set to undergo huge changes in 2024, including a new name, livery and title sponsor as long-time team boss Franz Tost departs with Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer taking over.

Bayer has been clear that the team will take as many transferable components (formerly non-listed parts) as it can, with late-season upgrades propelling the team from the bottom of the Constructors' to just missing out at overhauling Williams for seventh.

This has caused some friction in the paddock, with other teams keen to close any potential loopholes, such as ensuring all teams use their own wind-tunnels with Red Bull and AlphaTauri currently using the same facility.

There is no suggestion that either team has done anything wrong, with Wolff keen to put his faith in F1.

Wolff talks 2024

"I have to be honest, I only saw that [Yuki] Tsunoda was sixth in [Abu Dhabi qualifying] and they've come on strong which makes me happy for the fans of AlphaTauri to go out on a high," Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

"But this is a transparent world.

"I haven't looked at any components, and am sure that others will and then we will take it from there.

"But honestly, I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it."

The Mercedes boss also addressed the rate of aerodynamic development, which has been touted as a cause for a lack of overtaking, but believes tyres are a more dominant factor.

"I wouldn't see it negatively here in November in Abu Dhabi, we've got to wait and see what happens in Bahrain next year and how the season is going to pan out," he said.

"Let's see how the Pirelli tyres ae going to handle next year's car, but overtaking has gotten worse, and it is all about thermal management.

"So I'd like to have races like Qatar where you just go flat out."