Wolff highlights 'no brainer' decision for F1 despite concerns

Toto Wolff is adamant that if General Motors (GM) and its Cadillac entry can add value to F1 it is a "no brainer" for the grid to be expanded to 11 teams.

The Mercedes team principal was a vocal critic of the project when in its original, Andretti-centric, guise.

In step with the Austrian's concerns, and although given the green light by the FIA, Formula 1 management (FOM) rejected the bid in early 2024. 

However, the re-structured approach - that has put the Andretti side of the operation on the back shelf - has since been granted provisional approval by F1 to join the grid in 2026.

As under the previous plans, Cadillac will initially rely on Ferrari power with a view for American outfit to become a works entry two years later, but the nature of the Andretti-GM relationship and the extent of GM's involvement were key elements to change before F1 accepted the bid late last year.

Following that development, Wolff voiced his support for the project - but only if it can prove itself to be accretive.

In doing so, the 52-year-old was keen to point out why the Andretti proposal failed to garner the backing of the existing F1 teams.

"I've always said, if a team is accretive - as in value adding - absolutely, because it's a no brainer," he told media including RacingNews365.

"We're [Mercedes is] a stakeholder, we're a team, we like the revenue to grow, we like the audiences to grow. If somebody comes in and says: 'I can do that', [then] welcome with open arms.

"[With Andretti's entry], I've never heard anybody telling me that. I've never had anybody making the pitch, not that you need to, because the teams have nothing to say in that process, it's the FIA and the commercial rights holder [FOM] that have to decide.

"But if you want to go to a party and you're not invited, at least make the case why you should be sitting on the table. None of that happened, [and] it probably started in a bad place from the get go."

Nonetheless, Wolff is cautious and wary of how little has been confirmed about the project.

Underlining how much is still unknown over how the agreement for Cadillac will shape up, despite the new look approach fitting his criteria.

"Now, GM coming in as a shareholder, with its own engine, is accretive. Definitely," he added.

"[There is] more we [still] don't know: we have to see whether about the structure of the deal, the anti-dilution payment, the eligibility of participating to the price fund - when that actually happens. 

"As it stands, I can't properly judge, as what I've heard [previously as Andretti] is not great, and I think the teams deserve respect for what they've done over the last God know how many years - that's why."