Wolff points to infamous 2021 Hamilton incident behind Verstappen behaviour
Toto Wolff believes Max Verstappen’s aggressive on-track behaviour was “legitimised” when he failed to receive any penalties in 2021.
Verstappen’s on-track conduct is in the spotlight after the Mexico City Grand Prix in which he received two separate 10-second time penalties and two penalty points for incidents with title rival Lando Norris.
On lap 10, Norris attempted a pass around the outside of the Red Bull on the brakes into Turn 4, but was forced wide by Verstappen, despite having most of the McLaren alongside – and according to F1’s overtaking guidelines, should have been afforded racing room.
Moments later, at Turn 7, Verstappen lunged Norris off the track and passed beyond the white lines. For each incident, he earned a 10-second sanction and two penalty points were added to his superlicence for the Turn 4 move.
Verstappen’s judgement has been called into question in wheel-to-wheel combat, given the controversial 2021 moves he made against Lewis Hamilton.
Whilst he was penalised in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen’s lunge against Hamilton at Turn 4 in Brazil forced both drivers off track, but Verstappen did not receive a penalty.
It is this lack of action Wolff feels enforced the aggressive behaviour of the three-time F1 champion.
“I think back in the day, certain stewards had their opinions, and because it wasn’t penalised, it basically legitimised it,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365 when asked about the 2021 season.
“It was fair enough to any driver who drives within the regs and utilises all the margins that are given to him by a steward.
“Braking late and dragging the other car off the track whilst driving off track is not on anymore, that is not allowed, and I think it is good for racing.”
Wolff on racing guidelines
Wolff’s Mercedes driver and GPDA chairman George Russell claimed after the race that “19 out of 20 drivers” were in agreement that the racing guidelines needed to be tightened up immediately, with Wolff believing the Mexico incidents have now set a precedent.
“I always say that drivers, or people that have driven racing cars, they know exactly what happened,” he explained.
“You know when somebody is releasing the brakes too late and drags you into the corner, pushes you off right from the early days in go-karts.
“You know that you are not going to survive on the outside if you are not ahead, so I think the rules are really clear and the drivers know that, but everybody is trying to push that.
“And if you get away with things, that is the new limit, so will it change? Absolutely.
“I think there is now a precedent and there were others taking a penalty in Mexico, so a precedent has been set and from now on, you’ve got to leave space on the outside of a corner if a car is next to you.”
