Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff blasts Christian Horner following Zak Brown's criticism

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff — Photo: © IMAGO

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Wolff joins McLaren boss in BLASTING Horner

Toto Wolff has given his perspective on the incident in Austria

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 8 July 2024 19:43 Updated: 18:55

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Toto Wolff is the latest team principal to criticise Christian Horner after his response to Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’ collision at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull and the McLaren drivers came together after battling for the lead during the closing stages of the Austrian GP last weekend.

F1 HEADLINES: Red Bull driver HURT after British GP as team in talks over driver RETURN

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Whilst Verstappen finished fifth, Norris was forced to retire, with the Dutchman receiving a 10-second time penalty as a result of the contact.

Despite this Horner defended the champion and blamed Norris for the incident, insisting Verstappen is not going to change his driving style.

Verstappen and Norris were involved in a collision at the Austrian GP

Horner has backed Verstappen despite the champion earning a penalty

Toto Wolff adds to Christian Horner criticism

Horner’s reaction has prompted criticism from McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, who accused the Red Bull boss of disrespecting the regulations.

“I'm also disappointed that at such a great team like Red Bull that the leadership almost encourages it because you listen on the radio and what was said,” Brown said ahead of the British GP. ‌ “We all have a responsibility on the pit wall to tell our drivers the dos and don'ts and what's going on in the race and so I think we need to have respect for regulations.

Zak Brown has hit out at Christian Horner's respect for the regulations

“We've seen there be lack of respect, whether it's financial regulations or you know sporting, on-track issues with fathers and things of that nature, and I just don't think that's how we need to go racing and we need to guide our drivers on what's right or wrong and I think had it been addressed earlier maybe that incident wouldn't have taken place.”

During the same press conference, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff backed Brown and called for greater objectivity from Horner.

“Yeah, I tend to agree with Zak," Wolff explained.

"It's always amusing to see just one-dimensional comments of team principals where you think, let's be a little bit objective at least,” Wolff said.

Despite the ongoing criticism, it was another relatively strong weekend for Red Bull on Verstappen's side of the garage.

Although struggling in parts of Sunday's British GP, the three-time champion came home second behind Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, extending his lead at the top of the drivers' standings further.

Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Lando Norris Christian Horner Toto Wolff