F1 REPORT: Toto Wolff accuses Verstappen of 'DIRTY DRIVING' aft..

Wolff accuses Verstappen of ‘DIRTY DRIVING’ after FIA punishment

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has expressed frustration over Max Verstappen’s recent on-track behavior, accusing the Red Bull driver of “dirty driving” following his penalties at the Mexican Grand Prix. Wolff, who has often spoken highly of Verstappen throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season, took a more critical tone after Verstappen’s controversial racing incidents during the United States and Mexican Grands Prix.

Throughout the year, Wolff had shown admiration for Verstappen’s abilities, even hinting that the Dutch driver was a top candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes following Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. However, Verstappen ultimately decided to stay with Red Bull, leading Mercedes to promote their young talent Kimi Antonelli for the 2025 season. Despite this, Wolff maintained a respectful attitude toward Verstappen for much of the season—until now.

At the heart of Wolff’s criticism was Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, which drew penalties at consecutive races. In Austin, Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris had a tense battle for third place. Verstappen pushed Norris wide off the track, forcing the British driver to overtake him while off-circuit. The stewards judged Norris to have gained an unfair advantage and handed him a five-second penalty, despite some feeling that Verstappen had forced the incident.

A week later in Mexico, a similar scenario unfolded, but this time the roles were slightly reversed. Norris arrived at the apex of the corner first, only for Verstappen to push him wide again. This time, the stewards penalized Verstappen, giving him a ten-second time penalty. Verstappen also found himself under scrutiny for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at Turn 8, which led to an additional ten-second penalty, causing him to fall to P6 by the end of the race.

Wolff’s patience seemed to run thin after the Mexican Grand Prix, where he openly praised the stewards for taking a firm stance against what he described as Verstappen’s “dirty driving.” The Mercedes boss suggested that the penalties handed down to Verstappen were justified and hoped they would set a precedent for future incidents.

“I think that was a really good steward decision,” Wolff said in a post-race interview with OE24. “It’s important that this kind of dirty driving is not tolerated anymore. A severe penalty, like the 20 seconds Max received, is necessary to make sure this doesn’t happen again. It’s setting the right precedent to clean up this kind of racing.”

Wolff’s comments reflect a shift in his previously complimentary view of Verstappen, especially after Mercedes made significant efforts to sign the reigning world champion for the upcoming season. Verstappen’s refusal to join Mercedes, despite Hamilton’s departure, seems to have intensified the rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes, with Verstappen now at the center of controversy for his aggressive tactics.

Verstappen, who had a challenging 2024 season compared to his dominant previous years, has come under scrutiny not just from his rivals but also from the FIA for pushing the limits of fair racing. As the Red Bull driver faced a string of penalties and criticisms, Wolff’s remarks indicate a growing concern among the competition about the Dutch driver’s racing style.

While Verstappen remains one of the sport’s most formidable drivers, his recent penalties may influence how future battles are officiated. The scrutiny he now faces from the FIA and fellow team bosses like Wolff could lead to changes in how drivers approach hard-fought duels on track.

For Mercedes, the decision to promote Kimi Antonelli may represent a new chapter, with the team seemingly eager to develop fresh talent while distancing itself from Verstappen’s driving controversies. As the 2024 season nears its conclusion, the tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes are likely to intensify, with Verstappen’s aggressive style remaining a focal point for debate.