Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff spoke in Jeddah about how the recent global issue of tariffs is affecting the team. Wolff said “It hasn’t hit us yet.”
The latest plot twist to hit the sport
Much is said about the impact Drive to Survive has on modern day Formula One. However, even the producers of Netflix’s number one show could not have predicted the latest plot twist to hit the sport.
U.S. President Donald Trump has seemingly wasted no time in implementing import tariffs on nearly every country in the world. Having done so, he then either changed his mind or made further changes to what he proposed. As such, the global economy has been taking the impact of these actions.
The implementation of these new tariffs resulted in some suggestions that this will have an impact on teams in the F1 paddock. Even so, when it comes to tariffs, Wolff has said his team is not feeling the impact at present.
Although his comments in Jeddah during the weekend of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix did see the 53-year-old also say “It hasn’t hit us yet.”
Due to the fact Wolff has a well-known background in finance, he is inevitably interested in what is going on with regard to the current hot topic of tariffs.
“That’s why I’m looking at this, what’s happening. What’s panning out in front of our eyes on a global level is almost like a socio-economic experiment. It’s quite entertaining to be reading CNN and Fox News and trying to figure out what’s actually happening.”
“So far you clearly see a negative sentiment of some of our partners in the US. Because they don’t know what it means for their businesses, how the tariffs and geopolitical situation is going to impact them. It hasn’t hit us yet.”
The current stance of the Mercedes Group
Wolff is not the only team principal to have been asked for comment in recent weeks. Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, has previously shared his views on the matter.
“As far as supply is concerned, it should not be a problem. But for the manufacturers, it could have a huge impact.” Horner also said that “Formula 1 must secure its future.”
Meanwhile, back in Jeddah, Wolff’s remarks also explained the current stance of the Mercedes Group’s CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management, Ola Kallenius.
“We have a group of great partners and Mercedes-Benz stands 100% behind Formula 1. Ola is certainly having his hands full trying to navigate the ship through this storm. There is no other person than him to do this. So, it’s even more frustrating that we’re having weekends like this because I was hoping to cheer him up a little bit at least on a Sunday.”
“But it’s a very dynamic situation. In terms of the auto tariffs, we’re fortunate we have production in the US as well, so a pretty strong footprint in the US so that’s good in this circumstance.”
Hearing Wolff state with confidence the German brand’s commitment to F1 can only be a positive for the sport.
The agenda of the F1 commission
Formula 1’s five engine manufacturers for 2026 met last Thursday in an F1 Commission meeting. Discussions over late rule changes to next year’s regulations were held.
Mercedes looks set to be in a good position ahead of the 2026 regulation changes. A meeting discussing 2026 and future power unit regulations has already taken place earlier this month. On this point, the teams agreed not to change any rules for next year. With that in mind, Wolff was asked in Jeddah for his thoughts on the tweaks for 2026 in terms of energy management.
Clearly, the man steering the ship at Mercedes was keen to watch his words but nonetheless, what followed were headline worthy comments.
“Reading the agenda of the F1 commission is almost as hilarious as reading some of the comments that I see on twitter on American politics.” stated Wolff. “I really want to protect ourselves and make no comment but it’s a joke. A week ago, there was an engine meeting and then things like this end up on the agenda again.”
Mercedes may yet end up on the top step of the podium once more in 2026 – if the rumours are to be believed. As such one can imagine that any proposals to change already agreed rules would not be met favourably.
However, that is next year and George Russell’s consistency in 2025 already shows that there may yet be sooner success to come for the silver arrows.
