F1 blind to 'parallel rules' problems - Wolff

Nov.16 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hit back at Bernie Ecclestone, after the F1 supremo suggested carmakers are prepared to destroy F1 for their own gain.

Manufacturers including dominant Mercedes are siding against the sport's new plans for faster cars in 2017 and parallel engine regulations.

"They are not thinking of the sport, only themselves," Ecclestone told Auto Motor und Sport.

"We cannot destroy formula one due to people who believe they can take the sport hostage."

But Wolff insists that Mercedes is thinking about F1, amid evidence that other racing categories have tried and failed to equalise performance with sets of parallel regulations.

"I don't understand," he told DPA news agency.

"It seems as if we are completely stubborn and closing our eyes to what has happened in other series and all the associated problems," Wolff added.

"Now we're coming along, pulling a rabbit out of a hat and saying 'Let's do it!'"

Wolff said Mercedes is clearly opposed to the parallel engines idea, with F1 prepared to keep the 'power unit' rules in place but usher in an independent supplier of an affordable twin-turbo V6 for smaller teams.

"It seems as though we are moving in circles," Wolff continued.

"At a certain point we decided we wanted to be the pinnacle of technology, relevant to the road industry and attract new manufacturers. But we have four manufacturers on board already who are saying 'We don't want it (to change)'," he added.