Toto Wolff Labels Max Verstappen an ‘Angry Taxi Driver’ over George Russell Clash at Spanish GP

Toto Wolff christened Max Verstappen with a funny title for his controversial move against George Russell at the Spanish GP.

Toto Wolff Labels Max Verstappen an ‘Angry Taxi Driver’ over George Russell Clash at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull), George Russell (via Getty), Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen received a lot of backlash following his controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish GP. The Dutchman was left seething after he was asked to swap positions for an incident where he wasn’t even at fault. Anger got the better of Verstappen as he was unable to keep a cool head and maintain his P4 finish in the race. Now, Toto Wolff has taken a hilarious jibe at the 27-year-old for his petty tactics at the Spanish GP.

Nico Rosberg, amongst many others, heavily criticized Max Verstappen for crashing into George Russell intentionally. While the German has been shut down since making those comments, people are still scrutinizing Verstappen’s move. Toto Wolff joins the same bandwagon and slams the reigning world champion, christening him with an unconventional title.

Toto Wolff reckoned that the sport needed to check the telemetry to determine whether Max Verstappen’s move was intentional or not. Verstappen had already clarified that he did not intend to crash into the Briton despite backing down on his claims in a post on social media. Wolff noted that if the 27-year-old made the move out of spite and in anger, he was the one at fault completely.

Amongst other drivers like Lando Norris and George Russell, labeling the incident as ‘Mario Kart’ like, even Toto Wolff had his own funny title for the crash. Wolff reckoned that Verstappen’s move against Russell looked like an angry taxi driver maneuver, which was completely uncalled for. Still, it would not be correct to slam the reigning world champion without concrete evidence of ill intentions on his end.

We have to check the telemetry. If he did it because he was moved by anger, it’s not good. It looked like an angry taxi driver maneuver.

Toto Wolff told Sky Sports Italy

Toto Wolff slams Max Verstappen for ‘disrespectful behavior’ towards George Russell

Max Verstappen and George Russell haven’t been the best of friends on the F1 grid in the past. The two have been involved in a massive war of words previously, which they have barely moved on from. Hence, the Spanish GP incident would further salt the wounds in their relationship and ruin it. Toto Wolff believes that the Dutchman isn’t doing anything to make up for his ruined friendship with Russell.

George Russell and Max Verstappen's verbal altercation (via IMAGO)
George Russell and Max Verstappen’s verbal altercation (via IMAGO)

Toto Wolff guessed Max Verstappen’s thought process during the incident and whether he intentionally hit George Russell. The Austrian reckoned that Verstappen wanted to let the latter past him and rejoin immediately to fight for the position. Regardless, the accident seemed reckless and dangerous from the Dutchman’s end, which could’ve been avoided. Moreover, the Mercedes boss slammed the reigning world champion for making a move without logic and respect for the Mercedes star.

It almost seemed like he wanted to let Russell pass and then join in, but I can’t explain it. It is an out-of-control and dangerous behavior, without logic and respect.

Toto Wolff noted

The Dutchman lost out on massive points in the Spanish weekend following the late-race collision with Russell. Moreover, the 27-year-old has added the penalty points tally to 11, and receiving any more points would grant him a one-race ban. As such, the reigning world champion is on thin ice and must ensure that such a situation does not repeat again.

Read More: “I’ll Bring Some Tissues,” Max Verstappen Takes a Brutal Dig at George Russell over Spanish GP Remarks