Wolff levels 'American Football' claim following delayed Monaco GP

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has compared the interrupted Monaco Grand Prix to an American Football game.

The race suffered two heavy rain interruptions that sparked a 65-minute delay to the start before a heavy crash for Mick Schumacher provided a further red-flag disruption.

"The format, how it was, was more an American football game," said Wolff with a smile.

"You could get hot dogs and beer in between [stints]. But I think at the beginning that there was nothing else that could have been done.”

The rain started 10 minutes before the scheduled start, catching out a number of teams as the morning forecast had suggested it would not fall until the evening.

The FIA has since explained a power outage caused by the torrential rain that knocked out race control's systems, forcing a reset, was to blame for the delay that amounted to 65 minutes in total.

But considering the track conditions, Wolff backed FIA race director Eduardo Freitas' handling of the situation.

“The rain at the beginning was torrential," said Wolff. "I don’t think that you can start a race with thunderstorms moving into Monaco like this so I have no beef at all with the start having been delayed a few times.

“You need to give [FIA race director Eduardo] Freitas and the race directors the credit that this was a very difficult race to manage.

“I would have hoped for an earlier start when it had dried up but I think there was a problem with connectivity with Biggin Hill and that is why they couldn’t get it going."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Red Bull have 'found their next Max Verstappen'

• 41 minutes ago

F1 star blasted by rival after collision: 'I was about to throw a punch'

• 1 hour ago

Mercedes 'to announce' F1 driver move which triggers big Max Verstappen decision

• 2 hours ago

New Lewis Hamilton role filled as Ferrari confirm dream partnership

• 3 hours ago

Sky F1 issue official statement after presenter makes shock exit

• Today 18:44

F1 Silly Season: Max Verstappen, Mercedes and every driver move

• Today 17:30