Toto Wolff has stated that Mercedes' decision to swap chassis is simply due to mileage reasons rather than any request from one of their drivers. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have swapped chassis this weekend in France from the ones used in Azerbaijan. Mercedes stated this has been done to even out wear, due to the fact that the W12 chassis' in use are the exact same ones used in the W11 last year. When asked if the move was prompted after a complaint by the Finn, Wolff played down those suggestions. "This is a season where we have to carry over chassis due to the cost cap," Wolff told RacingNews365.com and other members of the media. "We are not able to produce new chassis, and that's why we have four chassis that we have carried over. Due to mileage reasons, they're being swapped around between the two drivers, there's no other story. "No driver has ever asked for a chassis swap or to stay with a certain chassis, because it's the same thing as swapping gearboxes around the gearbox carry around. Totally understand the point of view of a driver who certain components he is very much aware of and it is not in a happy place. We can change that, but that's not why you've done it." As for the battle with Red Bull at Paul Ricard this weekend in France, Wolff believes nothing has changed as the Milton Keynes outfit have the fastest package. "I think nothing has changed during the season," Wolff stated. "Red Bull has the fastest package, we need to acknowledge that. "Pre-Monaco we we were faster on Sunday in the race, they were faster in qualifying. Now it's just a matter of continuing to develop the car, understand the tyres and do the best possible job."
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