Toto Wolff gives a furious verdict on backlash over the Las Vegas GP manhole drama, asks critics to ‘give some credit’ to F1

Toto Wolff has BASHED all the critiques that were speaking ill of F1 due to the manhole incident at the Las Vegas GP

Toto Wolff gives a furious verdict on backlash over the Las Vegas GP manhole drama, asks critics to ‘give some credit’ to F1

Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton and the Manhole on the Las Vegas GP track (via IMAGO)

The Free Practice One session at the Las Vegas GP saw a disappointing red flag to the session. Multiple drivers’ cars suffered body damage from an open manhole cover on the track, forcing officials to deem it unsafe to continue the race. Hence, after eight minutes of the first practice session, Red Flags were hoisted on the track. Toto Wolff has finally spoken over this incident.

Esteban Ocon incurred heavy damage on the chassis of his car due to the manhole and had to retire from the session immediately. Alpine later disclosed that they needed to change the entire chassis of their car to fix the damage caused by the manhole. Even Carlos Sainz faced similar issues and had an incident with the manhole, which produced major amounts of sparks on the track.

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Mercedes’ Team Boss Toto Wolff, has hence broken his silence over the major issue within F1. Wolff addressed all the critiques and said that people complained about a small issue. The Austrian boss demanded some credit where it was due and to the people who made the sporting event bigger than ever.

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We're talking about a f*cking manhole cover, in the first free practice! Give some credit to the people who make this event possible, the people who made this sport bigger than ever.
Wolff said as reported on X.

Subsequently, the boss claimed that it was a shame that this incident happened and Carlos incurred some major damage to his vehicle. But, Wolff also added that FIA and the people responsible for the track conditions needed to discuss the issues and ensure that these incidents do not happen again in the future.

The car is broken, that's really a shame. For Carlos it could have been dangerous, so between the FIA and the track everybody needs to analyse how we can make sure that this is not happening again.

James Vowles and Fred Vasseur also commented on the manhole on the track

The team principles have decided to side with F1 and FIA over the major issue on the track. The Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, has also spoken about the topic. Devastated by the body damage to Sainz’s car, the boss still appreciated F1 over the mega show and still expects great attendance and racing action over the weekend of the Las Vegas GP.

Manhole on the Las Vegas GP track (via speed cafe)

The Williams principal, James Vowles, followed the same path as Toto Wolff. Vowles claimed that the fans should not judge F1 and the drivers over a small incident that happened in the first 30 minutes of the practice session. Finally, The boss asked the fans to judge the teams after the chequered flag falls on the Sunday race rather than FP1.

The Las Vegas GP has definitely put on an amazing spectacle for the fans and people around the world. This race weekend has set a standard for all the other racing venues worldwide and etched its name as one of the greatest sporting event openings. Hence, the race weekend still promises some more drama over the weekend.

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