Toto Wolff’s reaction to F1 punishment after Mercedes chief’s outburst speaks volumes

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff landed himself in hot water with F1 chiefs for his outburst at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and was punished in Abu Dhabi this weekend

Toto Wolff admitted he deserved punishment for his outburst at last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Mercedes team principal was summoned to the stewards upon arrival at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this week. They wanted to speak to him about his furious tirade during a press conference a week earlier when tensions boiled over.

Wolff had been defending the Las Vegas event in the team principal’s press conference. The event was under scrutiny after a botched first day as a loose drain cover damaged two cars and caused a massive delay to the on-track action.

But his defence of the event did not wash with everyone in the room. One journalist interrupted his answer which sparked a furious response from Wolff, who snapped back aggressively.

“It’s FP1 – how can you even dare trying to talk bad about an event that sets new standards to everything?” he raged. “You’re speaking about a f***ing drain cover that’s been undone, that has happened before. That’s nothing – it’s FP1.

“Give credit to the people that have set up this grand prix, that have made this sport much bigger than it ever was. Liberty has done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has become undone, we shouldn’t be moaning.”

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur had also sworn earlier in that same press conference. And both of them were given official reprimands by the stewards for their actions.

Reacting to that outcome, Wolff admitted that it was a fair enough punishment. “I find it very good that we remind all stakeholders that have a public profile, that we are responsible to what we say in the media and on TV,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

“Assuming that it is Fred and I going to the stewards, in the event that we can set off a general difference in approach of the stewards to endorse swearing, then, at that point, that is great. No one ought to utilize the ‘F word’ in the vehicle or beyond the vehicle. We ought to be good examples, particularly for the fans that we have, particularly the youthful ones.”

After a disappointing meeting all requirements for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi, Wolff made it clear he is blissful the 2023 season has reached its end. “I’m tired of having clarifications on why it went poorly,” said the displeased Austrian. “I’m cheerful this was the last passing of the time and we will accompany another vehicle.”