Russell - Verstappen Cases Spark Wolff’s FIA Criticism

Wolff criticizes the FIA for inconsistent penalties after the Austin race

21/10/2024

Toto Wolff has voiced his frustration with the FIA’s inconsistent penalties following the controversial Austin Grand Prix incidents.

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff was unimpressed by the stewards’ decisions during the United States Grand Prix.

Wolff described the decisions as “biased” after his driver George Russell received a five-second penalty for forcing Valtteri Bottas off the track at Turn 12.

The stewards also penalized Lando Norris for overtaking Max Verstappen outside track limits at the same corner while battling for third place in the closing stages of the race. However, Verstappen escaped a penalty for forcing Norris off at Turn 1 at the start.

Russell was surprised by his penalty, reacting with a shocked “What?” when informed during the race. Shortly after, Wolff came on the radio, saying: “It’s a joke, George, the penalty. It’s a joke.”

At the end of the race, Russell asked his team if Verstappen had been penalized for the early-race incident. Wolff responded over the radio: “No, he wasn’t penalized.”

“And in the end, Lando got penalized for being forced off track and overtaking from the outside. I guess it’s a bit of a biased decision, but you know, I’m not surprised.”

Wolff was equally critical when speaking to the media after the race.

“It’s inconsistent. Yesterday, we saw a few incidents just like this that weren’t penalized, fighting for actual positions, and getting this penalty is just completely strange and bizarre. I think we know it, but obviously, you can’t say it on TV, some of these decisions are made late on.”

“Sometimes there are correlations… between when certain decisions are made, which is a bit interesting.”

“For the stewards, it’s a tough job, and some are very good, some do their best, and you have to commend those guys. But some drivers like Max know how to exploit the rules. He knows there’s no real risk at the start and knows he has to do everything to be ahead at the apex, even if it means missing his corner.”

“These things need to be reconsidered; it’s no longer acceptable to just think this way.”

Russell - Verstappen Cases Spark Wolff’s FIA Criticism

Russell – Verstappen Cases Spark Wolff’s FIA Criticism Russell – Verstappen Cases Spark Wolff’s FIA Criticism

F1 Standings 2025
F1 Standings 2025
#
Driver
Points
1
Driver Flag
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
0
2
Driver Flag
Lando Norris
McLaren
0
3
Driver Flag
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
0
4
Driver Flag
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
0
5
Driver Flag
Carlos Sainz
Williams
0
6
Driver Flag
George Russell
Mercedes
0
#
Team
Points
1
McLaren
Norris & Piastri
0
2
Ferrari
Leclerc & Hamilton
0
3
Red Bull
Verstappen & Lawson
0
4
Mercedes
Russell & Antonelli
0
5
Aston Martin
Alonso & Stroll
0
6
Alpine
Gasly & Doohan
0
F1 Calendar 2025
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race Date
Australia Flag
Australian
Albert Park
16 Mar
China Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japan Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Bahrain International
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabian
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
FULL CALENDAR
Race Center

Race Center

Australian flag
Australian GP
13 Mar - 16 Mar
Your time Local time
FP1 13 MAR 15:30
FP2 13 MAR 19:00
FP3 14 MAR 15:30
QU 14 MAR 19:00
RACE 15 MAR 18:00
Go toTop