British Grand Prix

Ecclestone 'likes to create mess' - Wolff

Ecclestone suggested Hamilton was "not the fighter he once was" ahead of the British GP

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Saturday 17 July 2021 10:50

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes it is "important" to F1 former supremo Bernie Ecclestone creates "controversy and mess".

Ecclestone took a swipe at Lewis Hamilton in an interview with the PA news agency ahead of the British Grand Prix, suggesting the British driver was "no longer the fighter he was".

Hamilton rebuked the criticism, stating: “I’m definitely not the driver I was when I started. I think I’m better and I know myself way more than I ever did.”

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Asked for his response to Ecclestone's comments, Mercedes team principal Wolff said: "Bernie is always good for banter and headlines.

"He likes to create a little bit of controversy and mess. I think it is good for the sport, good for him.

"I think it is important that Bernie, the one who created all of this, is still having a strong opinion."

Mercedes not ready to "give the baton" to Red Bull.

Red Bull has won five races in a row ahead of this weekend's event at Silverstone, opening up a 44-point gap to Mercedes in the constructors' championship.

Asked if Sunday's race would define the whole season for the team, Wolff responded: "No, it is not just one race, this is motor racing.

"If you start to say we have a gap and we won't be able to catch up then we shouldn't be here at all.

"It is a test for the team, we had seven years that were fantastic and we definitely are not ready to give the baton to these guys [Red Bull]. We will see where the season goes and also, the next."