Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff in FURIOUS rant at Red Bull chief as Verstappen-Russell spat rages

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff in FURIOUS rant at Red Bull chief as Verstappen-Russell spat rages

The feud between Mercedes and Red Bull continues to escalate ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Originally written by Kevin McKenna. This version is a translation.

Saturday 7 December 2024 23:00

Toto Wolff has hit out at his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner, as a spat between the pair's lead drivers threatens to overshadow the final weekend of the Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen and George Russell have been at each other's throats in the media since an incident in qualifying for last week's Qatar Grand Prix, leading to a fiery meeting with the stewards after the session.

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After being handed a one-place grid penalty at the Lusail International Circuit, Verstappen accused Russell of lying to stewards in order to force through the punishment.

Russell responded to Verstappen's claims by stating he had lost all respect for the four-time champion, before proceeding to label him a 'bully' ahead of this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi.

George Russell and Max Verstappen's will renew their rivalry this weekend

Christian Horner has backed his driver in his feud with Russell

Wolff hits out at Red Bull boss

The Austrian came out in support of his own racer on Thursday, gate-crashing Russell's pre-race press conference to have his say on the matter.

“Why does he [Horner] feel entitled to comment about my driver?” said Wolff. “If you're thinking about it and spent 90 seconds to think about it…yapping little terrier. Always something to say.

Toto Wolff has launched a scathing attack on Horner

“I'll tell you clearly: there is a thing between drivers, and this is George and Max, and I don't want to get involved in that. But if the other team principal calls George hysterical, this is where he crosses a line for me.

“Now, his forte for sure is not intellectual psychoanalysis. But that's quite a word. How dare you comment on the state of mind of my driver?”

Max Verstappen Formula 1 Christian Horner George Russell Toto Wolff Qatar Grand Prix