Toto Wolff dismisses Christian Horner’s remarks, intensifying the Russell-Verstappen feud with sharp words in Abu Dhabi’s F1 spotlight.
Wolff described Christian Horner as “a yapping little terrier” as the war of words between George Russell and Max Verstappen took a new turn today in Abu Dhabi, with much stronger remarks exchanged between the two drivers.
When Verstappen escalated the tension during Thursday’s official drivers’ press conference, Mercedes F1 responded by organizing a special briefing with its driver (details here) and Toto Wolff by his side.
So, what did the Mercedes F1 boss have to say? Wolff chose to maintain some distance and instead responded to his Red Bull counterpart, Christian Horner, who had labeled Russell “hysterical” in Qatar, while Verstappen called him a hypocrite and a liar.
“As a team principal, it’s important to be a support system for your drivers, which means explaining things that can be more nuanced rather than making absolutist statements, assuming everything is either 100% true or 100% false.”
“It’s just about explaining the nuances, considering perceptions and viewpoints — you have to allow for something to be 51% vs 49%, or even 70% vs 30%, because there is always another side to the story.”
“You have to explain it to your drivers and your team, and you come to the conclusion that there is truth on both sides. If you don’t, you’re not fulfilling your role. That’s just weak.”
“But… and here comes the but! Why does Horner feel entitled to comment on what my driver says? If you think about it for 90 seconds, he’s just a yapping little terrier in F1, always with something to say.”
“It’s a matter between drivers, it’s George and Max, and I don’t want to get involved in that. But when the other team principal calls George hysterical, that’s where he crosses the line.”
“His quality is certainly not that of an intellectual in psychoanalysis, but how dare he? How dare he comment on my driver’s mindset?”
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Verstappen vs Russell – Wolff calls Horner ‘a yapping terrier’ Verstappen vs Russell – Wolff calls Horner ‘a yapping terrier’
