Breaking:Toto Wolff Criticizes Driver Conduct at Miami GP: “Bad Example for Rookies”…read more
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff slams aggressive F1 tactics at the Miami GP, calling out turn one incidents that he believes set a bad example for rookies like Kimi Antonelli. Read the full breakdown of the controversy.
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix weekend may have delivered exciting racing, but it also stirred up controversy, particularly at turn one of both the sprint and main races. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has voiced strong concerns about the aggressive tactics used by some drivers, suggesting they are setting poor examples for rookies coming into the sport.
Wolff’s frustration centers on two key incidents that took place at the Miami International Autodrome. During the sprint race, young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli—who had made history by becoming the youngest pole sitter in Formula 1—was muscled off track by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in the opening corner. Despite starting from pole, Antonelli was shuffled down to fourth in just a few seconds, ultimately finishing 11th on track, though he was later promoted to seventh due to post-race penalties for other drivers.
The drama didn’t end there. In Sunday’s main race, Max Verstappen made an assertive move into turn one, squeezing Lando Norris off the racing line and forcing the McLaren driver to take evasive action. Norris lost significant ground and dropped to sixth place, despite having started ahead.
Both Piastri and Verstappen escaped penalties for their roles in these incidents. Stewards ruled that they had earned the right to the corner by reaching the apex first, leaving the burden of safe overtaking on the trailing drivers. But for Wolff, this interpretation of the rules reflects a broader issue within modern Formula 1.
“I don’t think we’re setting good precedents,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1 following the sprint race. “You’re just releasing the brake and pushing the other guy off. It’s something that’s crept in over the years—turn one, you just shove them out wide. I think that sends the wrong message, especially to junior drivers.”
Wolff was particularly disheartened by how Antonelli was treated on track, noting that the 17-year-old Italian is still finding his footing in the sport. “It’s only Kimi’s sixth race, and he’s already learning that this is how it works. I don’t agree with that approach. We should be encouraging respect and clean racing, especially for the next generation.”
Despite the setbacks, the Miami weekend wasn’t all doom and gloom for Antonelli. The teenage sensation etched his name in the history books as the youngest driver to claim pole position in Formula 1. He also managed to outqualify his teammate George Russell for the first time in his short F1 career—an achievement that highlights the rapid progress he’s making.
While the sprint race result was underwhelming, Antonelli salvaged some points after other drivers received penalties. In the main race, he started third and maintained solid pace, ultimately finishing sixth—just behind the front runners. Meanwhile, George Russell secured another podium for Mercedes, continuing his consistent form this season.
As the paddock heads to the next round, Wolff’s comments will likely fuel ongoing debates about the boundaries of hard racing versus unfair tactics. One thing is clear: with rising stars like Antonelli making waves, the spotlight is firmly on how the sport nurtures—and protects—its future champions.
