It looks like the đčđđ¶đđ¶ in Formula 1 is shifting from the track to the bank account. McLaren boss Andrea Stella is openly calling out Toto Wolff, saying he simply does not believe Mercedesâ claim that the Silver Arrows are running out of cash to keep up in the development war this season.
Mercedes started 2025 like a rocket, crushing the competition by winning seven of the first eight Grands Prix. But the vibe has changed. In the last four races, the team has only grabbed one win, courtesy of rookie Kimi Antonelli in Belgium.
Toto Wolff has been honest about the struggle, admitting on a Sky Sports F1 podcast that his team just âhavenât got the moneyâ to bring constant upgrades like their rivals. He said they are trying to spread their development budget smartly, knowing each upgrade from top teams like McLaren or Ferrari could cost them precious tenths of a second.
This is a wild confession considering Mercedes is a commercial giant worth a reported $6 billion. They posted massive profits of $171 million on revenue of $863 million in 2025. Just last year, Wolff sold a five percent stake in the team for $300 million, a deal that supposedly valued the entire operation at that eye-watering $6 billion figure.
But McLarenâs Andrea Stella is not buying the sob story. In an interview with The Race, Stella said, âI would like to believe you, but I actually donât believe you.â He pointed out that new power unit regulations coming in 2027 will give all teams extra cost-cap allowances, and he is convinced Mercedes has faster upgrades waiting in the wings.
Stella added that he is sure Mercedes sees their rivals elevating the game and will cash in on their wind tunnel development very soon. While he jokingly admitted it would be great if Wolff was telling the truth, Stella made it clear he does not expect Mercedes to stay quiet for long.
So, is Toto Wolff playing mind games to lower expectations, or is the richest team on the grid actually feeling the financial squeeze?
