Toto Wolff unhappy with Miami Grand Prix driver actions

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hit out at drivers setting a bad example for rookies with their turn one actions.

The Miami International Autodrome saw controversial turn one incidents in both the sprint race and the main race, hampering two different drivers' races respectively.

During the sprint race, Kimi Antonelli was pushed off-track when fighting for position with Oscar Piastri, and fell down the order to fourth in the first corner, having originally started the race from pole position.

Then, in the main race, Max Verstappen got his elbows out into turn one, forcing Lando Norris to take avoiding action by heading off-track, causing him to plummet down the order to sixth.

Neither Piastri nor Verstappen were deemed to be in the wrong, however, with both drivers appearing to be ahead at the apex heading into turn one, meaning they both had the right to the corners in the two races, and it was up to the others to try and attempt a risky overtake.

Following the sprint race, Wolff suggested that rookies were being taught bad habits from the actions of more senior drivers, believing that the moves are something that have developed in the sport in recent years.

"I don’t think we are setting good precedents," Wolff told Sky Sports F1 after the sprint.

"You are just releasing the brake and then you are just pushing the other guy off. It’s for the junior formulas also, I think you need to leave a car’s space.

"It’s kind of crept in, turn one, you push them out. It’s Kimi’s sixth race and he’s learnt a lesson that this is what you need to do.

"I don’t entirely agree with that but that’s how we’ve allowed it for a few years now."

Antonelli makes history

While the weekend started off with elation for Antonelli, becoming the youngest pole sitter in the history of the sport, that quickly turned to disappointment.

The Italian was frustrated to come away with an 11th-place finish in the sprint having started on the front row, although that was later converted to seventh following some post-race penalties for drivers, handing him two points.

Antonelli then outqualified his team-mate in main race qualifying, the first time he has done that in his short F1 career, and started the race up in third.

However, it was team-mate George Russell who took home yet another grand prix podium, while Antonelli had to settle for a sixth-place finish.

F1 HEADLINES: Team to axe driver before next race as Norris sends Verstappen warning

Related

Latest F1 News

Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff offers firm response to Max Verstappen signing rumors

• April 20, 2025 03:00

Japanese Grand Prix

Toto Wolff's absence from the Japanese Grand Prix explained

• April 4, 2025 04:00