Toto Wolff may make an unscheduled trip to the Japanese Grand Prix to deal with the fallout of the Formula 1 budget cap row after the FIA reveals its findings later this week.
On Wednesday, the governing body is set to make public whether or not the 10 F1 teams stuck to the £114m cost cap last season. Ahead of that announcement, unproven rumours have circulated suggesting Red Bull and Aston Martin may have flouted the rules.
Both teams have denied those accusations, with Red Bull chief Christian Horner even going as far as to threaten legal action against those who started the "defamatory" claims. He also said he is "absolutely confident" that the team came in under budget in 2021.
But the allegations overshadowed the Singapore Grand Prix, and the same could happen at next weekend's event in Japan – especially if it turns out one or more teams did break the rules. In that case, Wolff may change his mind on travelling to Suzuka.
The Mercedes team chief said last Friday that he was planning to skip the trip to oversee things back at base in Brackley. It would be only the second time in nine years he has been absent from the paddock for a race weekend, but now PA reports he may continue his attendance streak after all.
Speaking about next year's record-breaking 24-race F1 calendar, Wolff said: "I will start to skip a few races. The whole team needs to look at it. It is not sustainable for anyone to do 24 races. The drivers have to, but we start on Monday in the office and go through until the end of the week.
"We need to find a solution, and I think the race team will skip a few races every year in order to survive. There are a few individuals that can take over some of my tasks. Not physically being at the race meeting doesn't mean that I am not at the race. I have a full intercom setup. There is a race support room at the factory, and I will be part of every single debriefing. I just won't be there physically."
That strenuous schedule will also put pressure on the drivers, who are unable to avoid travelling to race weekends like many members of staff like Wolff can. Lewis Hamilton's contract expires at the end of next year and he will be 39 years old before the start of the 2024 season, but still the Austrian believes the seven-time world champion can carry on.
"I am absolutely certain that Lewis can win the eighth world title with us," Wolff said. "He is not going to go elsewhere, and if we can provide a car that is competitive and he can fight for wins, he is going to win more titles. For him retirement, is still far away.
"But he asks himself, 'am I still happy with my performances?' And once he comes to the conclusion that he is not, he will be the first one to say that is it. But I have no doubt that we will be extending. The science today can make sports people, if they are disciplined, go much longer than in the past. Look at Fernando Alonso. He is 41, and he is still mega so no doubt, there are many years left in Lewis."
