Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff has spoken out against the proposed new Formula 1 technical rules set to come into effect for the 2017 season, believing the addition of more downforce is the "wrong decision".
The sport is set for an overhaul next year which will see greater mechanical grip through wider tyres, but also the addition of greater downforce thanks to wider wings front and rear.
Mercedes driver and three-time champion Lewis Hamilton has already voiced his concerns, believing there is a need to focus on mechanical grip so cars can follow more closely which will promote overtaking.
Wolff agrees with Hamilton's comments: "The cars will not be able to follow each other," he said of the proposed new rules.
"We have made a step towards more downforce which means the car following will have more disturbed air.
"At the moment when you follow a car closely you lose downforce – a great example was Lewis [Hamilton] and Max Verstappen in Melbourne; the same will happen next year but much more.
"Adding downforce was a mistake, we like a challenge, the guys in the aero [department] have taken the fight up but for Formula 1 and overtaking it was the wrong decision."
