Nasty Formula 1 rumours surrounding Mercedes: Clear response from team principal Toto Wolff

Kimi Antonelli is well on his way to becoming the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1. The 20-year-old leads the World Championship on 84 points ahead of his team-mate George Russell, who was once again unlucky in the latest race in Malaysia. His engine let him down, which is why Russell will start the race in Singapore with new parts.

The problem is that these parts exceed the permitted quota, so Russell will have to start the race from the back of the grid. This isn’t the first time Russell has been struck by bad luck, and it’s fuelling some wild rumours about Antonelli possibly being favoured within the Mercedes team. But Wolff wants nothing to do with such talk.

Toto Wolff: “I’m the devil, from what I’ve heard”

When asked about this, the Silver Arrows’ team principal spoke plainly in Singapore: “Whoever thinks that is brainless. It simply makes no sense. Do you think I’ve got a button that says: ‘George, engine failure, now’? We always want to provide everyone with the same equipment. But social media seems to be heading in that direction these days.”

“People hide behind their screens and then really let rip. There’s a lot of polarisation,” the Viennese man quipped, adding: “Sometimes I read what people write and find it absolutely hilarious. These people really do keep me entertained when they’re hurling abuse at the team or me. I’m the devil, from what I’ve heard – so yes, all in all, it’s quite funny.”

And the 54-year-old continued: “I have no sympathy or respect for the people who come up with this sort of thing. Instead of watching Formula 1, they should be watching ‘Teletubbies’ or, I don’t know, some Mickey Mouse films.”

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A lot of sympathy for George Russell

Wolff also emphasised: “Kimi has been with us since he was eleven; he’s an integral part of the team. It’s wonderful to see how he’s developed and is now in a position where, at such a young age, he’s fighting for the World Championship, given all the talent he has. On the other hand, there’s George, who’s been with us since he was 17. He’s someone for whom I feel great affection and sympathy. We’re very close. We also spend time together off the track, along with Carmen and Susie. If people could see that: we travel together, have coffee in the same café, go to the gym.”

“That’s why it’s rather annoying when some lunatics, who really have no idea how relationships work, come up with such accusations. That’s why I pay no attention to it. The most important thing is that George knows how things work in the team and Kimi knows too, and we’ll always try to give them equal opportunities. As for the upgrade, that’s a good example. We don’t know which one is faster, so you make a decision and say: ‘Let’s find out.’ There’s no grand political calculation behind it.”