Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has called Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier” after the Red Bull Team Principal said Geroge Russell employed “hysterics” to get Max Verstappen penalised in the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen was penalised with a one-place grid penalty having impeded Russell during qualifying for the Qatar GP, although neither driver was committed to a full-speed lap at the time.
The confrontation has spilled over to Abu Dhabi and personal accusations and wars waged with words have been engaged.
Verstappen has “lost all respect” for Russell and the Mercedes driver has claimed the Dutchman threatened to “put me on my fucking head in the wall” in Qatar.
Horner too engaged in the debate in defence of his driver, saying post-race at the Lusail International Circuit that Verstappen’s penalty “was more based on hysterics from George, who has been quite hysterical this weekend.”
Why does Christian Horner ‘feel entitled to comment about my driver?’ Asks Toto Wolff
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week in Abu Dhabi, Wolff took extreme displeasure with Horner’s comments, taking aim at his rival team boss.
“I think as a Team Principal, it’s important to be a sparring partner for your drivers,” Wolff began.
“And that means explaining that things can be more nuanced. Statements that are absolutistic, taking everything is either right, 100 per cent right or 100 per cent wrong, is something I just think you need to explain, think of more nuance, depending from your perception and your perspective.
“You need to allow for something to be 51-49, you need to allow for it to be 70-30. There is always a, there is always another side.
“Maybe when you look at it that way, and you explain it to the drivers and to your team, you come to the conclusion that there is truth on both sides.
“If you don’t do that, you’re falling short of your role. It’s just weak.
“At the end, why does he feel entitled to comment about my driver? How does that come?
“But thinking about it, I’ve spent 90 seconds to think about it… Yapping little terrier. Always something to say.”
Wolff went onto say “I don’t want to get involved” in Verstappen and Russell’s spat “but if the other Team Principal calls George hysteric, this is where he crosses a line for me.
“Now, [Horner’s] forte for sure is not intellectual psychoanalysis, but that’s quite a word. How dare you comment on the state of mind of my driver.”
READ MORE – George Russell reveals Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him in Qatar
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