Mercedes Toto Wolff has aired his frustrations over the ‘lax’ attitude of stewards after an incident between Verstappen and Hamilton was let slide during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this evening.
The Austrian boss was referring to the Turn Four push by Verstappen to edge the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton wide in order to avoid the overtake on on Lap 48 of Round 20.
Race Control decided not to investigate the Red Bull driver for his hefty defence against Hamilton when the pair fought for the lead and ran off.
The officials swiftly acknowledged the incident and had ‘noted’ it, but later decided that no further investigation was necessary.
Speaking about their decision, Wolff told Sky Sports that “Lewis didn’t want to comment, I’d like to comment.”
“Brilliant racing, I think you put the helmet on and said that that’s hard defending just to the limit. Lewis was super clever avoiding the contact, so it was great to see these two super drivers.
“But not giving it a five-second penalty or so? Come on.”
Today’s conclusion marked yet another knock to the Brackley-based team after they had already endured a five-place grid penalty for an engine change followed by disqualification qualifying for a DRS infringement.
“I’m not [happy],” Wolff said.
“It’s being judged with two ways here in the sport at this time.
“We just heard for the third time in a row the Red Bull was allowed to change parts on the rear wing under parc ferme. I’m not complaining, we need to race anyway, but I need to clear that up with the FIA.”
As for the rest of this weekend, Wolff said; “I think the team has always been together but these decisions have brought us so close together.
“It’s against us and I think this is what Lewis felt all his life, and we now feel it together as a team – and we’re going to fight. We’re not going to be victims.
“That is the emotion we’re feeling in the garage at the moment.”
