“Making it so personal, was a level that we have not seen in this sport before”– Toto Wolff reacts to Red Bull’s comments post-British GP.
The British Grand Prix was a tiring affair for Red Bull, as they saw themselves losing the majority of the lead against Mercedes and their star driver- Max Verstappen going to the hospital after surviving a mega 51g crash.
Naturally, Red Bull held Mercedes responsible for the crash, as Verstappen edged into barriers after a collision with Lewis Hamilton. The Briton received a 10-second penalty after being found guilty.
But it was not enough for Red Bull, as they asked for at least a race ban for Hamilton, in which Red Bull has apparently said some nasty things, according to Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff.
“I think you can understand that from a competitors’ point of view, the situation was upsetting,” he told Motorsport.com. “I can understand that.
“Nevertheless, the language that was used, and making it so personal, was a level that we have not seen in this sport before,” he added. After the completion of the race, Verstappen tweeted the podium celebration by Hamilton and Mercedes unsportsmanlike, to which Wolff reacted.
“I understand the bias on the crash itself and the emotions of a father, and I would probably be the same, but I would use different language,” he concluded.
Christian Horner fuelled racists?
Christian Horner massively criticized Hamilton for his allegedly reckless driving but according to Labour peer Peter Hain, vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on F1, criticized the tone of Horner and that it was vital in triggering fans’ anger, including some racist statements against Hamilton.
Christian Horner whom I’ve met & used to admire made outrageous attacks on @LewisHamilton after his terrific win Sunday @SilverstoneUK @redbullracing @redbull should be ashamed of subsequent torrent of racist abuse directed at Lewis @AntiRacismDay @uaf @MercedesAMGF1 @F1
— Peter Hain (@PeterHain) July 19, 2021
Hain told the Press Association: “Racists had an excuse to let fly their vitriol and evil at Lewis after what I thought was a very ill-judged, intemperate and plain wrong attack on him by Christian Horner.
“I am not suggesting that Christian was implying anything racist in what he said. He was talking in pure racing terms and not racist terms, and that is obvious.
“I hope it was something said in the heat of the moment when Christian was feeling aggrieved. But these are moments when leadership is required and not intemperate outbursts.”
