Mercedes boss Toto Wolff labelled his radio message to George Russell in the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix as the “single dumbest thing I’ve done” during his tenure.
Russell capitalised on Max Verstappen and Lando Norris incurring punctures from a clash at Turn 3 on Lap 64 to inherit an unexpected lead from a distant third place.
With the Briton being in place to take the German marque’s first F1 success since November 2022, Wolff came over the airwaves to tell Russell that “you can win this”.
Russell responded with an urgent call to “let him drive” as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri closed in behind, but the Mercedes driver held on to take his second career triumph.
Expanding on that comical moment post-race, Russell disclosed that he almost crashed as Wolff let the excitement at a close win overrule all rational at that moment.
“Suddenly I had Toto screaming in my ear, you know, you can win this, and almost crashed when he screamed into my ears it was that loud,” Russell recalled.
“But I think it just goes to show the passion that we all share, and it’s obviously been a tough couple of years for us. It feels great to be back on the top step.”
Wolff expressed that, upon reflection, he was “ashamed” and “embarrassed” that he came close to derailing Mercedes’ win prospects when he intervened on the radio.
“I think I know the drivers pretty well and what they need at times to encourage or to refocus, because I spend so much time with them,” Wolff explained.
“I think I know their psychology. But this one is the single dumbest thing I’ve done in 12 years at Mercedes.
“I will be forever ashamed because you look at where you message the driver and you don’t do it during braking. Or in high-speed corners.
“But I didn’t look on the GPS I just saw these two taking each other out and we anticipated it, and then just emotionally pressed the button and said ‘we can win this’.
“I could have taken him out with that message! Imagine how that could have felt.
“I’m emotional. I enjoy us doing well and I enjoy seeing Lewis and George doing well. I was just carried away with that situation, but seriously, embarrassing!”
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