Toto Wolff urges the FIA to arrange for a meeting as he refuses to accept Max Verstappen leaving Mexican GP with no penalty

Toto Wolff has began plotting to take the Mexican GP victory out of Max Verstappen’s hands following the lack of penalties levied upon the Red Bull driver.

Toto Wolff urges the FIA to arrange for a meeting as he refuses to accept Max Verstappen leaving Mexican GP with no penalty

Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen (via imago)

Max Verstappen was one of the few drivers to escape punishment after being under the FIA’s radar during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. The incident that landed Verstappen under the FIA’s investigation occurred during the Friday Practice sessions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Red Bull driver appeared to be stationary at the Pit-lane exit as he blocked the exit route for many drivers as multiple cars had to stop behind Verstappen inside the pitlane.

Following Verstappen’s escape from any penalties, Toto Wolff, the boss at Mercedes, has called for a sit-down with the FIA to discuss the matter. Max Verstappen emerged victorious at the Mexican Grand Prix as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished runners-up behind the Dutch racer. Wolff’s challenge against the ‘letting off’ of Verstappen during the weekend would possibly put the Red Bull driver’s victory in danger.

https://youtu.be/6Gc9Pl2D3eQ?si=iGFokkQoyUpFnG_c

The statement from the FIA, released after their decision to not penalise Verstappen, was quoted by express.co.uk.

FS Video
We note that there are contrary requirements on drivers in that they must respect the minimum time, they are attempting to create manageable gaps to cars in front, yet they are also required to avoid unnecessary stopping at the pit exit or driving unnecessarily slowly.

If Wolff is successful in overturning the FIA’s decision, Lewis Hamilton could stand a chance of claiming the victory at the Mexican Grand Prix. This possible win would be Hamilton’s first in 2 years.

Lewis Hamilton’s previous row with the stewards

Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the US Grand Prix after the post race ceremonies as his Mercedes was observed to be breaking the FIA rules. Apparently, Hamilton’s car was running too close to the ground as the stewards observed excessive wear on the skid marks at the bottom of the driver’s Mercedes. The FIA’s inspection focuses on the plank running along the bottom of a Formula 1 car, specifically examining the aluminum skid marks on the wooden plank.

Lewis Hamilton (via Imago)
Lewis Hamilton (via Imago)

However,Hamilton expressed his concerns about the selective nature of the FIA’s inspections. He pointed out that only a few cars were tested (Only Hamilton, Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen were checked) and astonishingly, 50% of them faced disqualification as Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified. The seven time World Champion suggested that there might be more driver cars that could be in violation of the regulations.

The stewards claim that the sporadic nature of these inspections is intended to keep teams from predicting when their cars will be examined. As Hamilton continues his pursuit of securing second place in the Driver’s standings, any potential FIA intervention adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing Formula 1 season.