Toto Wolff 'surprise' at Daniel Ricciardo penalty omission

Bottas spins during the Mexican Grand Prix — Photo: © LAT Images

Mexico City Grand Prix

Wolff 'surprise' at Ricciardo penalty omission

Should Ricciardo have been penalised?

Sam Hall

Monday 8 November 2021 14:50

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has aired 'surprise' Daniel Ricciardo was not penalised after spinning Valtteri Bottas on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Bottas delivered a stunning performance in qualifying to take his 19th F1 pole position on Saturday but Sunday was one to forget for the Finn.

After leaving a gap that allowed Max Verstappen to pass both himself and team-mate Lewis Hamilton on the outside on the run to and through turn one, Bottas cut across the pack and was tagged into a spin by Ricciardo.

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“I think the stewards’ should have a look into it but at that point…in hindsight, it was surprising that they didn’t look at a penalty," assessed Wolff.

Both drivers stopped at the end of the lap for fresh tyres, while Ricciardo additionally required a new front wing. Bottas then spent most of the 71-lap race stuck behind the Australian.

“It doesn’t give us any benefit if Daniel gets penalised for the next race," explained Wolff.

"It would have helped in the race but at that moment our train has left the station anyway.

“The incident happened and in a way, we could have maybe scored a few points more but that is not what we are aiming for."

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl did not share Wolff's opinion and backed the stewards' assessment the manoeuvre did not warrant an investigation or penalty.

"Daniel managed to make the apex and at the same time Valtteri was crossing in from the outside quite sharply and there were a lot of cars around him," said Seidl. "Therefore I would say it was a racing incident.”