Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accused the Formula 1 stewards of bias after Max Verstappen went unpunished for running Lando Norris off the road in the United States Grand Prix.
Twice Verstappen and Norris came to blows and wound up off of the asphalt, the first instance coming at lights out when the Red Bull driver dove up the inside of his McLaren rival at lights out.
Both cars went to the run-off, allowing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to sweep through and take victory.
On Lap 52, Verstappen went to the track limit and beyond again with Norris, this time at Turn 12 and the McLaren title challenger was handed a five-second time penalty for passing his contender off of the circuit.
Wolff took issue with the stewards’ handling of the situation, especially incensed thanks to George Russell receiving a five-second penalty for forcing Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas wide at Turn 12.
“Total joke with the penalty George, total joke,” Wolff said to Russell mid-race following the stewards’ verdict.
The Austrian’s tempers continued through to the cooldown lap, as he and Russell pondered over the Lap 1, Turn 1 scuffle between Verstappen and Norris.
“Did Verstappen get a penalty for that Turn 1?” Russell asked.
“No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside,” Wolff replied.
“I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but not surprising.”
READ MORE: Max Verstappen issues ‘very clear’ verdict on Lando Norris penalty in F1 US GP
Wolff calls Russell’s penalty ‘inexplicable’
It should come as no surprise then, that media including Motorsport Week were keen to hear Wolff’s thoughts on the stewards’ decision-making post-race at the Circuit of the Americas.
On Russell’s punishment, Wolff was unwavering.
“Everybody is racing hard, but for me the decision against George was inexplicable,” he said.
“We’ve seen plenty of these situations in turn, what is it, 12?
“None of them was penalised until George, and then obviously there was another one afterwards.”
On the Norris/Verstappen clash, Wolff’s view was tempered somewhat compared to his immediate post-race rant.
“I don’t want to comment on the Max/Lando situation because it’s not my race,” he added.
“They will, I think, Zak [Brown] and Andrea [Stella] are going to look at that.
“Everybody is giving their best, but I need to hold myself back here.”
Wolff didn’t want to criticise all stewards but called for FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to investigate matters further.
“I think there are great stewards,” he reasoned.
“Honestly, great stewards that have either been in the racing car or have a non-biased view on situations, doing the best of their abilities for a job that is truly difficult.
“And we mustn’t put everybody in the same category. There’s a few inconsistencies, but I’m sure the President is going to look at that.”
READ MORE: Toto Wolff backs Lewis Hamilton to have seamless transition at Ferrari
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