F1 grid ’still has characters’ - Wolff

As F1 chiefs ponder the sport’s biggest problems, Toto Wolff has admitted the issue of ’characters’ is a recurring one.

Some would argue that - recalling legends like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Gerhard Berger and countless others - none of the current crop of drivers even come close.

"When I was younger, I was a fan," said Mercedes chief Wolff, who is 43.

"When I walked in the paddock and Herr (Jacques) Laffite came past, I was thrilled," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"Has that changed now because the drivers are younger? Or because today in the world we all have sensory overload? It’s hard to say.

"But I am convinced that we still have characters in formula one," Wolff added.

The Austrian thinks one of the reasons is the current media cycle, where drivers are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

"If someone like Lewis Hamilton arrives at the circuit with his dogs, or he is interested in music, then he is accused of something.

"But if Sebastian Vettel protects his private life then he is accused of not being interesting enough. It would seem, whatever you do, you’re wrong," he said.