© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
After Audi aimed a few digs at their old rivals Mercedes, Toto Wolff says “it’s good that another German OEM is being cheeky on social media”.
After Audi officially announced it will enter Formula 1 in 2026 as an engine supplier, they immediately posted the announcement on social media, along with the words “Rumor has it: Rings are the new stars”, which was an obvious reference to Audi’s famous four rings logo, and Mercedes’ iconic three-pointed star.
The manufacturer also took the opportunity to announce that “this is the first time in more than a decade that a Formula 1 power train will be built in Germany”, obviously pointing to the fact that Mercedes’ F1 operation is based out of Brackley and Brixworth in the UK.
Well, it didn’t take long for Mercedes to poke back. After Audi posted a photo of a visualisation of their hypothetical Formula 1 car, along with the words “The vehicle shown is a concept vehicle that is not available as a production model”, Mercedes posted a photo of the their REAL Formula 1 car – the W13, with these same words and a ‘wink and kiss’ emoji.
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At the Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was asked to comment on the banter between the two brands.
“I think it’s good that another German OEM is being cheeky on social media, because it’s good for the sport that we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” the Austrian said.
“And I see it as a compliment that they said the rings are the new stars, it’s good that they join, it’s good that Porsche comes, once that is confirmed.
“It shows the strength of Formula 1 and the attraction that it has for the best brands in the world,” Wolff concluded.
