Dec.1 (GMM) A livid Toto Wolff has blasted Dr Helmut Marko after Crimson Bull accused Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli of intentionally serving to Lando Norris within the Qatar GP title battle.
Marko claimed he twice noticed the 19-year-old “let” Norris via – giving the McLaren driver two additional factors in his duel with Max Verstappen.
“Should you see it twice, are you able to title it?” Marko stated. “It occurred twice – twice. It was actually too apparent.”
Even Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero ‘GP’ Lambiase remarked over group radio that Antonelli appeared to drag apart deliberately.
The accusation despatched Wolff right into a rage.
“The very last thing we wish to do is intrude within the World Championship battle,” he stated.
“What Helmut is saying is whole and full nonsense. I’m actually shocked to listen to this. We’re combating for second within the championship – that is essential to us.
“How brainless are you able to be to say one thing like that?”
The Mercedes boss stated he even confronted Lambiase after listening to concerning the radio message.
“He was very emotional on the time, as a result of they wanted a sure end result. Now they want a place additional,” Wolff defined.
“However all the things is ok with Lambiase now. We cleared the air. He stated he hadn’t fairly seen the scenario.”
Marko, nonetheless, doubled down.
“He let McLaren move twice, roughly. It was clear. The primary time was the identical,” the 82-year-old insisted. “He additionally opened the door for Piastri.”
And when knowledgeable of Wolff’s anger, Marko replied: “I’d be completely satisfied to counter that. You simply have to observe the footage.”
Wolff nonetheless wasn’t having it.
“Why would we try this? Why ought to we take into consideration influencing the drivers’ championship? It’s essential to get your self checked out – you see ghosts,” he fired.
Antonelli, in the meantime, stayed out of the political storm – and even supported Verstappen’s title hopes when requested by Sky Italia.
“He believes in it, and I believe he can do it too,” stated the Italian. “He has nothing to lose, so he positively has a very good probability.”
Ralf Schumacher urged calm: “Antonelli was indignant himself. He wished to carry the place. That’s neither Toto Wolff’s nor Kimi Antonelli’s fashion. Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill.”
GPDA chairman Alex Wurz agreed.
“I don’t imagine he’s some type of stuntman faking one thing,” he advised ORF.
