Race control in the sights

“Absolute joke!” Wolff harbors explosive suspicions

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff cannot understand the decisions of the race organizers.

(Bild: APA/AFP/ANGELA WEISS)

The controversial penalties imposed by the race stewards at the US GP are causing a lot of controversy in Formula 1, with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff harboring an explosive suspicion.

Mercedes could definitely have achieved more this weekend. Lewis Hamilton retired on the third lap of the race. George Russell finished sixth from last place on the grid. However, the controversial penalties imposed by the stewards caused some discussion.

Penalty against Russell an "absolute joke"
Russell overtook Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas in turn 12. According to the stewards, the Briton pushed his opponent out of the corner. The consequence: a five-second penalty. An "absolute joke" for Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

The duel between Norris and Verstappen was similarly risky when Norris overtook the world championship leader off the track, but Verstappen obviously pushed him off the track. In this case, Norris was penalized.

Are the stewards not impartial?
Wolff had an explosive suspicion after the race, but did not want to state it clearly. "We should discuss it with the stewards behind closed doors. We have to see if there are any specific patterns," he said on Sky: "It's inconsistent. It wasn't even a race against Valtteri. We've seen some of these incidents that were exactly the same and where there were no penalties, even though there were real positions being fought for. The fact that we got a penalty is completely strange and bizarre."

Postscript: "I think we know why. But I can't say that on TV."

The reporter probed: "Connection between certain decisions - and the people who make these decisions?" Wolff: "That's what you said".

The accusation between the lines: The stewards would make biased decisions and were biased.

At the press conference, Wolff was more diplomatic: "I think there are great stewards who have either been in the race car themselves or have an impartial view of situations and who do their best in a job that is really difficult. And we can't all be lumped together. But there are a few inconsistencies and I'm sure the president will look into it."