Critics of Mercedes' F1 dominance 'absolutely unfair' - Jean Todt
FIA president Jean Todt believes the criticism of Mercedes' current dominance in Formula 1 is "absolutely unfair", although he feels the team needs a more robust challenge
Mercedes has won 32 of the 38 grands prix over the last two seasons and claimed back-to-back constructors' and drivers' championships.
Todt is aware of the impact such control can have on F1, having led Ferrari's 2000-04 period of rule.
"I would be more happy if there were different winners for each race, but that will never happen," Todt told Autosport.
"You have to accept domination is part of the sport, and not only in motor racing because you have domination in football, tennis, athletics, rugby.
"It is everywhere, so why should you expect no domination in motor racing?
"The negativity that surrounds it is absolutely unfair, but constructive criticism I can accept.
"Of course, I am not satisfied. I think the challenge could be better, and when we sit behind closed doors we try to address how we can do things better.
"But to punish ourselves, there is no need for that, or at least I am not devious enough to understand it."
It was suggested by numerous entities in F1 last season that the FIA should again become the sole regulatory and governing body, and that an organisation like the Strategy Group should be disbanded given teams' level of self-interest.
While Todt would welcome such a move, he knows it can only happen if new Concorde Agreements were put in place and doubts teams would accept this.
"Over the last few years the FIA has never had so much authority and governance," added Todt.
"Since there is a Concorde Agreement that has been signed, it is a governance, with specific rights to the commercial rights holder, the teams and the governing body, so it's something new.
"Saying that, as president of the FIA, I would have no problem if all the regulatory and legislative authority was given to the FIA.
"But then we would need to sign a different Concorde Agreement. It's as simple as that.
"If everybody is happy with that then I am more than happy to follow that, but I know it is not the case."
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