Ferrari boss Vasseur rebukes Mercedes’ Wolff over cost cap cheating claims
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has severely criticised Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff for suggesting the Italian outfit risks breaching Formula 1’s budget cap with their aggressive upgrade strategy.
The dispute emerged ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where the Scuderia introduced a new cooling inlet following significant recent car developments.
Wolff had earlier questioned how the Maranello-based squad could afford to bring so many new parts to each race weekend under strict financial regulations.
‘Genius’ rivals and ‘cheating’ accusations
“I found it quite ironic coming from Toto and Mercedes,” said Vasseur.
“But when Red Bull is developing or when Mercedes is developing they are geniuses; when we are developing we are cheating!”
“I think you have to calm down with this. We didn’t bring more parts than Red Bull or another one.”
Championship battle fuels paddock tensions
For the 2026 season, all competitors must adhere to a rigid $215m (£161m) spending limit following the introduction of major new chassis regulations.
The Silver Arrows currently hold a commanding 98-point lead over the Italian marque in the Constructors’ Championship after eight rounds.
However, Lewis Hamilton’s recent victory in Barcelona was aided by a substantial eight-item aerodynamic package, highlighting the intense development race across the grid.
‘Better to avoid to speak’
When asked directly if he believed the Mercedes boss was accusing his team of breaking the rules, the Ferrari chief was blunt in his assessment.
“If you think that we overshoot the cost cap, for me, it’s going into this direction,” he stated.
“I think it was better to avoid to speak.”
Despite a well-known friendship between the two team leaders, Vasseur described the recent remarks as “a bit puerile”.
“I think we are all in the same boat,” he concluded.