Toto Wolff has described Lewis Hamilton’s victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix as one of the world champion’s best performances. But the Mercedes team principal also hit out, expressing anger at how he believed his team were harshly treated by some “laughable” decisions at Interlagos and that the gloves were now off as the Formula One world championship entered its final three, decisive races.
Hamilton won from 10th on the grid in Brazil with a superb drive over a weekend during which he endured two penalties and a race in which Mercedes felt he had been let down by the stewards when they opted not to punish his title rival Max Verstappen. The Dutchman appeared to run him off the track as the two drivers fought for the lead. Hamilton nonetheless went on to win and reduce his deficit to Verstappen in the championship to 14 points.
As well as the win Hamilton drove from 20th to fifth in the sprint qualifying on Saturday, after a DRS infringement penalty sent him to the back of the grid, both were extraordinary comebacks acknowledged by Wolff. “Overall, I definitely rate that among the best-ever performances I have ever seen from him,” he said.
However the team principal was scathing at the decisions over the weekend that he deemed had been unfairly biased against Mercedes, especially the penalty for the DRS infringement which he believed was caused by damage that in previous circumstances had not justified a punishment.
Quick GuideMcLaren deny Audi sale reports
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McLaren have issued a robust denial regarding rumours of a purchase by Audi, as a way for the car manufacturer to enter Formula One.
It was reported on Monday that a takeover deal had been concluded, but the claims were swiftly dismissed by McLaren, the second oldest team in F1. “McLaren Group is aware of a news media report stating it has been sold to Audi. This is wholly inaccurate and McLaren is seeking to have the story removed,” read a statement.
“McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers, however, there has been no change in the ownership structure of the McLaren Group.”
McLaren have been competing in F1 since the 1966 Monaco GP. Only Ferrari have been in the sport longer. They are the second most successful constructor in the F1's history, behind Ferrari with 183 wins, 12 drivers' championships and eight constructors' championships.
The majority shareholding in the McLaren Group is held by Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund. The group has endured financial difficulties in recent years. In 2020, hit by the pandemic, it was threatened with insolvency and received a loan from the National Bank of Bahrain.
McLaren have since secured more funding through the sale of a minority stake to a US-based sports investment group and in April this year agreed to the sale of its iconic McLaren Technology Centre for £170m. They remain using the MTC under a lease basis.
Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, is known to be committed to gaining a presence in F1, whether with its Audi or Porsche brands, by 2026. While a buyout has been denied, discussions with McLaren and Red Bull for collaboration are understood to be taking place, with Volkswagen looking for a competitive team to promote their brand. Giles Richards
“I think we’ve just had many, many punches in the face this weekend,” he said. “Decisions that could have swung either side against us or for us. It’s something that I’m just angry about and I will defend my team, my drivers to what comes. I’ve always been very diplomatic in how I discuss things, but diplomacy has ended today.”
Hamilton was attempting to pass Verstappen into turn four when the Dutchman squeezed him wide and forced him to take evasive action with both drivers going off track. The stewards classified it as acceptable, a decision that raised serious questions. In Austria early this year both Lando Norris and Sergio Pérez were given five-second penalties for squeezing opposing cars wide during attempted overtakes.
The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, believed it was the right decision, arguing it was simply hard but fair racing. Wolff also acknowledged that but was convinced the precedents meant Verstappen should have been punished.
“That was just over the line – should have been a five-second penalty at least – and probably Max knew that,” he said. “Just brushing it under the carpet is just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, it’s laughable.”
The next round is in Qatar next weekend with Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to follow.