Breaking: Wolff slams Horner amid Verstappen & Russell ‘BULLY’ saga…Read more
Wolff slams Horner amid Verstappen & Russell ‘BULLY’ saga
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has launched a strong critique of Red Bull boss Christian Horner as tensions mount between Max Verstappen and George Russell following an incident at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The rivalry, already intense, escalated after an altercation during Saturday’s qualifying session.
The controversy began when Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty at the Lusail International Circuit. He accused Russell of lying to the stewards to ensure the punishment was enforced.
In response, Russell expressed his disillusionment with Verstappen, stating he had lost respect for the four-time champion and labeling him a “bully” ahead of the Abu Dhabi season finale.
Horner, firmly supporting Verstappen, dismissed Russell’s accusations, calling his behavior over the weekend “hysterical.”
This comment infuriated Wolff, who took a stand in defense of his driver during a press conference on Thursday, where he directly addressed the issue.
Wolff expressed frustration at Horner’s remarks, questioning his right to criticize Russell. “Why does he feel entitled to comment on my driver?” Wolff asked.
He further described Horner as a “yapping little terrier” who always has something to say.
While Wolff refrained from delving into the conflict between Verstappen and Russell, he made it clear that Horner’s comments had crossed a line.
Highlighting his displeasure, Wolff criticized Horner’s choice of language, particularly the use of the term “hysterical,” and questioned his qualifications to comment on Russell’s mindset.
“His forte is not intellectual psychoanalysis,” Wolff quipped, before emphasizing that such remarks were unacceptable. “How dare you comment on the state of mind of my driver?”
The feud highlights the intensifying rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull, both on and off the track.
With the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marking the final race of the season, tensions are unlikely to subside soon.
While Verstappen and Russell’s conflict has taken center stage, Wolff and Horner’s verbal sparring adds another layer to the drama, underlining the fierce competition between the teams.
This latest exchange reflects the high stakes and heightened emotions in Formula 1, where on-track battles often spill into heated off-track disputes, with team principals playing as active a role in the drama as the drivers themselves.
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