Former Haas Formula 1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner has labelled Toto Wolff as “the rock star of Canada” for letting the Mercedes drivers race for the lead in Montreal.
Mercedes’ dominance of the 2026 F1 season continued in Canada, as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli duelled for supremacy across the weekend.
Canada was not without internal strife for Mercedes, the sprint race acting as a flashpoint that saw Antonelli come off worse in a battle for the lead, the young Italian livid in Parc Ferme.
Sunday’s Grand Prix saw further action, with the duo swapping the lead at multiple points prior to Russell’s heartbreaking retirement.
Steiner called Wolff a “rock star”, highlighting the Mercedes Team Principal’s decision to let the drivers race freely, despite the risk of contact between the cars.
“I mean, he didn’t interfere, didn’t say anything, just left them out there, and you have no idea…” he said on the Red Flags Podcast.
Guenther Steiner: Toto Wolff “nervous, but he didn’t show it”
Steiner also praised Wolff for holding his nerve during the numerous times the cars came close to colliding, admiring his ability to remain “stoic”.
“I think the rock star should be the person who is cleaning his pants, you know, because for me, he must have been sitting there nervously. But fair play to him. Full respect — when you’re in such a position, it’s just like, ‘Hey guys, what is happening here?’
“No, he let them go, he let them race. I mean, for sure, he was sitting there nervous, but he didn’t show it. He was stoic — fair play. That’s why he’s the rock star of Canada.”
Steiner’s praise of Wolff likely comes from his own experience in managing drivers during his tenure at Haas – one which involved moments of infamy.
Wolff will likely face further instances of having to remain “stoic” in the months ahead as the battle for the title hots up.
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