“All you have, Valtteri” – Toto Wolff breaks Mercedes convention to communicate over radio with Bottas in Abu Dhabi qualifying

“All you have, Valtteri” – Toto Wolff broke Mercedes convention to encourage Bottas over team radio during qualifying at Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is not one for the limelight. He has rarely been seen on the podium taking the Constructors’ award on behalf of his team. And unlike most other team principals, rarely communicates with his two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas over the radio. In fact, the only time we hear Wolff over the radio is when he congratulates them after a race.

But Wolff broke convention by sending his message across to Bottas during Q3 – “All you have, Valtteri.” The Finn was evidently encouraged, taking provisional pole, beating Hamilton to it. But it was not to be for him after Max Verstappen took P1 just 25 thousandths of a second. Bottas addressed the radio message from Wolff after the qualifying session.

“He can always talk to us if he wants.”

“The last days we’ve had a chat about different things. We’re a team and we support each other. If we feel like you can support another person in the team with encouragement or certain words, you do it. I would do the same for any team member. So nothing more than that. I think it’s more of a personal thing.”

Toto Wolff: Valtteri Bottas wanted feedback from me

Toto Wolff added that radio communication was something the pair spoke about in preparation for the weekend. Bottas wanted feedback from his boss, and he certainly got it. It seemed to work out brilliantly until Verstappen ruined the Mercedes party. 

“It’s always tricky when you talk to the driver before qualifying or the race, but it’s something we discussed. He said I need a little feedback from you.”

Also read: “He’s the best driver in the best car at the moment” – Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff confirms his views on the Lewis Hamilton vs George Russell debate