Toto Wolff says Red Bull have 'seen ghosts' if they think Mercedes engine is breaking the rules over oil burn claim

Toto Wolff has rejected any dirty tricks being used by Mercedes with its engine after Red Bull wrote to the FIA to clarify if it was breaking the rules, with the German joking that their rivals must have seen “ghosts” if they were questioning the legality of the power unit.

Both Ferrari and now Red Bull have raised queries over the systems being used ahead of the 2017 season, which gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend. But while Ferrari’s disgruntlement stemmed from the trick suspensions being used by both of their main rivals, Red Bull have focused more on how the Mercedes engine functions in qualifying.

It’s claimed that the Silver Arrows is able to burn oil as fuel during Saturday qualifying, giving it a power boost and ensuring that the German manufacturer remains ahead of its competition on the grid come Sunday’s grand prix.

But Wolff has completely dismissed such allegations, and puts the advantage that Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg enjoyed last year down to superior engine mapping.

“They have seen ghosts,” Wolff told Gazzetta dello Sport. “We have had for years a map that allows us to use more horsepower in qualifying. It is nothing new. Maybe in Australia there will be protests, but Mercedes feels safe.”

Rosberg does not return to the grid this season to defend his drivers’ championship following his shock retirement in December, with Valterri Bottas stepping up to partner three-time world champion Hamilton, and the Finn fired an early warning at his teammate to stress he has not joined the Brackley outfit to just make up the numbers.

"I don't fear that I will be the number two at Mercedes," Bottas said. “Mercedes do not have a number one, or a number two driver, so it is up to me to perform. As long as I do my job, which is to perform on the level where the car should be, we are all good and I know I can do it.

"I am very excited about going up against Lewis. He is a three-time world champion and a great reference point. Everybody knows exactly how good he is as a driver.

"It is great to be a team-mate of Lewis and I hope we can have a strong year in this era of Formula One. In testing we managed to work well together and there was a good team spirit. I see no reason why it should not continue like that."

However, while Bottas will be targeting his first drivers’ title, Ferrari are targeting their 16th in the hope of ending what will be an 10-year wait for the championship, having not finished top of the standings since Kimi Raikkonen’s success back in 2007.

Wolff was not surprised by the pace and reliability of the Italians during pre-season testing, despite Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel showing pace that could rival Mercedes this season following three years of dominance by the German marque.

"It is a solid team, with the right resources, capable engineers and energetic and motivated leader,” Wolff said of Ferrari..

“It’s logical to expect a competitive Ferrari. In tests it was the fastest car and covered many kilometres.

“I see Ferrari on the podium on Sunday in Australia, and I hope that we will fight with them for victory.”