Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has expressed surprise at the pace of Ferrari's car development this season, questioning how the team can afford so many upgrades while complying with Formula 1's budget cap.
Wolff made the comments after the Austrian Grand Prix, where Ferrari introduced a new engine specification along with revised front wing elements and test items for its SF-26.
"We're a little bit surprised that Ferrari can throw these huge updates at the car in the way they do," Wolff said. "In my opinion, they need to be running out of money soon, cost cap money, because we can't do that."
Ferrari has made multiple aerodynamic changes throughout the season, including big updates in Miami and Barcelona, plus the innovative Macarena wing. The team also benefited from the FIA's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities ranking after Monaco, allowing extra engine development.
Other teams have been more restrained. Mercedes brought a major chassis update in Montreal and a battery improvement in Austria, while McLaren and Red Bull have introduced smaller changes. Williams and Aston Martin have limited their development due to cost cap constraints.
