Wolff "very cheap" for putting Mexico blame on Bottas - Verstappen

Max Verstappen feels Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton were "very cheap" in pointing an accusing finger at Valtteri Bottas following the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Bottas was thrust into the spotlight after the 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for his actions on the long run to the first corner.

Rather than holding the racing line on the left-hand side of the circuit, Bottas moved across to the middle, affording Verstappen a gap the Red Bull driver exploited with a late-braking manoeuvre into turn one.

Following the race, Wolff said Bottas 'opened the sea' for Verstappen, a move "that shouldn't have happened", while Hamilton also said the Finn had "left the door open".

Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen feels the criticism has been misplaced.

"You have to leave room for a car width, otherwise he [Bottas] would have received a penalty," said Verstappen.

"I don't know what Toto is talking about. You can easily blame it on Valtteri, but I think that is very cheap."

Hamilton has since clarified his remarks via a post on his Instagram account, urging Bottas to keep pushing to the end of the season before he makes a switch to Alfa Romeo.

“We all have bad days,” wrote Hamilton. “We live and we learn. I said that Valtteri left the door open and naturally people will jump to criticise.

“We are a team, and we win and lose as a team. There is not one single person responsible for winning or losing, we do it together good or bad.

“You may be able to beat us, but you cannot break us! Onto the next one, Valtteri, let’s keep pushing, bro.”

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