Toto Wolff relationship shattered after Max Verstappen crash - Jos Verstappen

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Wolff relationship shattered after Max crash - Jos Verstappen

Father has revealed details of fallout with Mercedes boss

GPFans Staff

Sunday 5 December 2021 12:08 Updated: 14:04

Jos Verstappen claims he no longer has a relationship with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after feeling appalled with his behaviour after his son's high-speed crash at Silverstone.

The lap-one incident in the British Grand Prix in July saw Lewis Hamilton clip the right-rear wheel of Verstappen's Red Bull, sending the Dutch driver into a barrier at 150mph and with an impact of 51g.

Hamilton went on to win the race after which he and Mercedes were criticised by the Verstappens and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko for their celebrations while Max was being attended to in hospital.

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Prior to that day, Wolff and Verstappen had enjoyed a good rapport, particularly as Mercedes had long followed Max's career and at one stage were keen to sign him before Red Bull swooped.

As to their relationship now, speaking to The Daily Mail, Jos said: "It is not there anymore.

"I don’t like his attitude. I don’t like how he behaved, starting at Silverstone.

"One of the drivers was in hospital and they are on the podium celebrating as if they’ve won the world championship.

"I didn’t think Toto was like that but I learned about a different Wolff. We didn’t have any contact from him, any message or whatever.

"And to think he had spoken to us in the new year: I am not saying he was trying to bring Max over at that stage, but let’s say we had a good relationship before Silverstone."

The former F1 driver has also revealed the lack of a relationship between his son and Lewis Hamilton, who have been embroiled in a season-long duel for this year's title.

Verstappen goes into today's inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with an eight-point lead, although starts third on the grid behind the Briton on pole.

Assessing Hamilton the driver and person, Jos added: "I respect him as a driver, but the rest...nothing.

"Max and Lewis only speak on the podium, very little. When I see Max with other drivers, I think they get on very well. But with Lewis nothing. Lewis is in his own world.

"I did F1 - compared to Max I was nowhere - but I talk to some of the drivers and they are all very friendly, or just say hello or whatever.

"We are on the plane together many times, always the same group of drivers and we have a lot of fun but there are 'some' drivers who don’t look at you, who look at the ground."