Mercedes chief Toto Wolff heard fuming ‘total joke’ on radio to George Russell after Max Verstappen decision in US GP

TOTO WOLFF slammed F1 stewards’ decision to award George Russell a penalty as a “total joke” before watching Max Verstappen get away with the same thing later on.

The Mercedes chief was heard fuming over the radio to Russell – who recovered to P6 following a pit lane start – as he was awarded a five-second penalty for running Valtteri Bottas off track.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsF1/status/1848113402738078171

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Toto Wolff slammed the ‘inconsistent’ decisions made by F1 stewards during the US GP[/caption]

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George Russell was hit with a five-second penalty for pushing Valtteri Bottas off track at Turn 12[/caption]

F1tv

But Max Verstappen did not receive a penalty when he forced Lando Norris off track in the same spot[/caption]

Rex

Norris received a five-second penalty for going off track and gaining an advantage[/caption]

Wolff said of the steward’s verdict on the radio when the penalty was awarded: “Total joke with the penalty George, total joke.”

However, on lap 52 of the race, championship leader Verstappen appeared to run himself and title rival Lando Norris off the track at Turn 12 as he went up the inside to try and stay ahead at the apex.

The move forced both drivers off track before Norris re-entered the circuit ahead of the Dutchman.

However, F1 stewards then handed the McLaren driver a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage, which reinstated Verstappen in P3 at the end of the race.

Wolff, 52, took issue with the incident given how Russell was punished for a similar move.

On the cool-down lap, Wolff was once again heard speaking to Russell, 26, who asked whether Verstappen had received a penalty.

He replied: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside.

“I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but not surprising.”

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A similar incident at Turn One in the first lap had allowed Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc to sweep into the lead – before going on to win the race – with Verstappen forcing Norris off track to avoid a collision.

Earlier in the race Verstappen had been forced off track himself by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at Turn 12 who had run deep, though once again no penalty was awarded for the incident.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Wolff added: “It’s inconsistent. With Valtteri [Bottas] it wasn’t even a race.

“Yesterday [Saturday Sprint race] we’ve seen a few of those incidents which were exactly the same that weren’t penalised, racing for real positions actually. 

“Receiving that penalty is completely odd and bizarre. I think we know why but obviously I can’t say that on television.”

In his own interview about the incident with the broadcaster, Norris said: “They obviously can’t make their minds up for a few laps. It’s not an easy decision otherwise it would have come a bit sooner.

“I tried. He also went off the track. If he’s gone off the track clearly he’s gone in way too hard and also gained an advantage by doing what he did. But I don’t make the rules, so.”

On the other hand, Verstappen accused McLaren of complaining a lot.

The feature and sprint race results this weekend saw the gap in the driver’s championship widen to 57 points.

F1 heads to Mexico next week as the second race in a triple header.

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