Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has described his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner as “a tearful little terrier” but refused to criticize Max Verstappen amid the world champion’s ongoing feud with George Russell.
The row escalated markedly on Thursday as Red Bull’s Verstappen doubled down on his criticism of Russell after the Qatar Grand Prix, before the Mercedes driver accused the Dutchman of making a violent threat to him before last weekend’s race.
During Russell’s written media session in the paddock ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff took the unusual step of joining his driver in a packed Mercedes hospitality unit to weigh in on the situation.
Wolff has been open this season about his desire to sign Verstappen from Red Bull and refused to rule out another move for the newly crowned four-time world champion for the 2026 season, when Mercedes hope to return to the top of the sport as new technical regulations are introduced.
Asked if Verstappen has been “turned on” by those around him, Wolff said the 27-year-old has been frustrated by Horner’s lack of guidance in controversial scenarios.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Max Verstappen remained disappointed with his Qatar penalty incident, saying he was ‘just trying to be good’
“I think as a team leader, it’s important to be a partner to your drivers, and that means explaining that things can be more nuanced,” Wolff said.
“Statements that are absolutist, believing that everything is 100 percent right or 100 percent wrong, is just something you have to explain. Things are more detailed depending on your perception and perspective.
“You have to allow something to be 51-49, you have to allow it to be 70-30 – so there’s always another side. And maybe when you look at it like that and explain it to your drivers and your team, you come to the conclusion that there’s truth on both sides, if you don’t do that, you’re failing in your role.”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson and Bernie Collins are on SkyPad to break down why Max Verstappen was handed a one-place penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The row began in Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying as Verstappen was demoted from pole – with Russell inheriting the position – after a stewards’ hearing involving both drivers, where the Dutchman was found to have impeded Mercedes by going too slowly on preheating it. apron.
Verstappen was angry as he felt Russell actively tried to punish him and Horner supported this suggestion in Qatar by describing Russell’s actions as “hysterical”.
Wolff said of Horner: “Why does he feel entitled to comment on my driver? How is that possible? Even if I thought about it, I only had 90 seconds to think about it. . . . Make a little terrier. Always something to say .
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Max Verstappen says he has “lost all respect” for George Russell over the penalty incident that saw Verstappen take pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix.
“There’s something between the drivers, and that’s George and Max, and I don’t want to get involved. But if the other team manager is calling George ‘hysterical’, that’s where it crosses the line for me.
“His forte, to be sure, is not spiritual psychoanalysis, but that is a word. How dare you comment on my guide’s state of mind?”
Could Russell and Verstappen still be teammates in the future?
During a remarkable series of interviews on Thursday, Russell accused Verstappen of telling him he would “put your head against the wall” ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix and declared that “someone has to stand up to a bully like that”.
Red Bull declined to comment on Russell’s claims about Verstappen when approached Sky Sports News. Verstappen denied statements in the Dutch media “put your head against the wall”.
After it was confirmed in February that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, Wolff initially tried to recruit Verstappen as Russell’s new teammate.
Having accepted that won’t happen, Mercedes have lined up Italian teenager Andrea ‘Kimi’ Antonelli as Russell’s team-mate, but both drivers’ contracts expire at the end of 2025, leaving Wolff with flexibility in his driver line-up for the future.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
A look back at some of the fiercest clashes between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell
Despite the surprising nature of his remarks, Russell suggested on Thursday that he would ultimately have no problem driving alongside Verstappen in the future.
“Things happen and people move on. We’re adults and we’re mature. Right now, it’s not even something I think about,” Russell said.
“I never intended to throw Max under the bus like that until he came out and hit me so personally. I’m going to stand here watching someone beat me personally, as he has done.”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Lando Norris mocks Max Verstappen and George Russell over Red Bull driver’s penalty in Qatar, saying it’s ‘fun to watch’
Asked if their relationship had soured, Russell added: “I know what Max is like. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him like this.
“I’ve seen him like that as a 14-year-old in the kart paddock, so I’m just sharing what happened on Saturday night.”
Sky Sports F1 Abu Dhabi GP live schedule
Thursday, December 5
11:00: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday, December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy practice
7am: F2 Training
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Second Practice (session starts 1pm)*
14.30: F1 Academy Qualifying*
15.15: The F1 show*
Saturday, December 7
8.10am: F1 Academy Race One
10.15am: Third Abu Dhabi GP Practice (session starts at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Sprint Race
13.15: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifiers set up
14:00: QUALIFYING GP ABU DHABI*
16:00: F1 Academy: Race 2
17:00: Ted’s fitness notebook
Sunday, December 8
7.10am: F1 Academy Race Three
9.20am: F2 Feature Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP Practice
13:00: ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
15:00: Checkered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction
16:00: Ted’s notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream with NOW
