Toto Wolff warns drivers from public fallout with FIA over Max Verstappen swearing saga
Toto Wolff advised the Formula 1 drivers and members of the GPDA to handle the issues with the FIA behind closed doors.
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Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
Formula 1 and FIA have been the center of massive controversy in recent months. The Max Verstappen swearing fiasco and the community service penalty at the Singapore GP was one of many controversies recently. Hence, following GPDA’s involvement in the matter, Toto Wolff has urged the drivers and members of the association to handle the matters privately.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen were both penalized by the FIA after both of them used abusive language over the weekend. Following the banning of swear words on team radio, FIA continued to receive massive backlash. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) urged the governing body to treat the drivers as ‘adults’ amidst the petty penalties.
Toto Wolff reckoned that the opinions of drivers needed to be put forth carefully. The Mercedes boss recalled his fight in the media and how words were being thrown around carelessly. Hence, the 53-year-old believed that such a fight wasn’t necessary. As a result, Wolff advised the drivers to handle the matters without media being involved and ‘in a room’.
It is critical that we have a voice and handle it with the same carefulness. We had a fight in the media the last couple of years and one word was said and another word came as a reply. I don’t think we should be throwing stuff at each other in that way. Being in a room and saying what we think is best for the sport is the way [forward]. That is probably where the drivers are coming from.
Toto Wolff told Autosport.com
Newly appointed Alpine Boss sided with the GPDA in the fiasco
Alpine recently appointed Oliver Oakes as the new team principal after sacking Bruno Famin from the position. Following GPDA’s statement, Oakes reckoned that the drivers wanted a conversation with the governing body since they felt ‘un-listened’. However, the Briton showed sympathy to the newly appointed Race Director Rui Marques after being caught in the crossfire of the FIA and the drivers.
I think the drivers want a conversation. They feel a bit un-listened to. The only thing I would say is it is not easy for Rui to be put into this situation with three races to go. It is a big job in hand with a championship going on.
Oliver Oakes told Autosport.com
The 2024 season will go down as one of the most interesting seasons in the history of Formula 1. The season has witnessed a maximum number of race winners and racing action at the forefront. Heading into the final triple-header of the season, competition and excitement for the championship winners peak at an all-time high as Lando Norris aims to catch up to Max Verstappen in the lead.
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Aditya Pandya
(1440 Articles Published)