Toto Wolff says Formula One is in a state of ‘uber caution’ after Jules Bianchi’s death
TOTO WOLFF says Formula One is in a state of "uber caution" in the wake of Jules Bianchi's tragic death.
The Frenchman died last year as a result of the injuries he suffered at the Japanese GP on October 5, 2014 when his Marussia collided with a nine tonne tractor at Suzuka.
A report from the sport's governing body [FIA] said the driver did not "slow down sufficiently" under double waved yellow flags to prevent his horror accident.
The ruling was again scrutinised here as question marks were raised as to whether Nico Rosberg slowed "sufficiently" during his pole lap for the Hungarian GP.
Rosberg and his Mercedes team say he did lift off and lost time to respond to the incident with Fernando Alonso's McLaren, which had spun off.
However, the interpretation of what is deemed as "sufficient" was questioned by Rosberg's team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Wolff admitted: "It is a delicate matter, the rules are the rules and you need to stick to them.
"These drivers are the best drivers in the world they need to be in control and they need to be able to judge what speed is appropriate for the circumstances and I think we can trust them as Formula One drivers."
There are also questions whether the FIA are treating F1 drivers with kid gloves in the wake of Bianchi's death.
The British GP was started behind a safety car after a downpour and there was a 20 minute delay in Hungary due to heavy rain.
But Wolff says the cautious approach was required in Budapest.
He added: "Today you couldn't have restarted the session there was a huge amount of water out there on track and aquaplaning.
"I don't think it would have been responsible. There will be situations like this and we have seen it in the past.
"As far as Silverstone is concerned, we should have let them off the leash after a lap or two.
"I would let them follow the safety car a lap or two to see the conditions and then the safety car comes in and you do a standing start, which is one of the most exciting things.
"But due to the circumstances around Jules's accident and the aftermath, there is an uber caution, which is being deployed at the moment and you can understand that.
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"But we have to come back to what motor racing is all about, which is having the best drivers with the most powerful machines in tricky conditions."
Meanwhile, Wolff says he is encouraged by on-going conversations with the FIA about the Halo cockpit protection system that is due to come into place in 2017.
He said: "Whatever can be done for the safety of the drivers needs to be done. Even if it looks disgusting.
"I don't think it looks Formula One I don't think it makes the sport and the cars and the drivers appear spectacular.
"But that doesn't count because safety comes first and we are going to have a discussion about the safety aspect of the Halo."