TOTO WOLFF slammed F1 stewards’ decision to award George Russell a penalty as a “total joke” before watching Max Verstappen get away with the same thing later on.
The Mercedes chief was heard fuming over the radio to Russell – who recovered to P6 following a pit lane start – as he was awarded a five-second penalty for running Valtteri Bottas off track.
Wolff said of the steward’s verdict on the radio when the penalty was awarded: “Total joke with the penalty George, total joke.”
However, on lap 52 of the race, championship leader Verstappen appeared to run himself and title rival Lando Norris off the track at Turn 12 as he went up the inside to try and stay ahead at the apex.
The move forced both drivers off track before Norris re-entered the circuit ahead of the Dutchman.
However, F1 stewards then handed the McLaren driver a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage, which reinstated Verstappen in P3 at the end of the race.
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Wolff, 52, took issue with the incident given how Russell was punished for a similar move.
On the cool-down lap, Wolff was once again heard speaking to Russell, 26, who asked whether Verstappen had received a penalty.
He replied: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside.
“I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but not surprising.”
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A similar incident at Turn One in the first lap had allowed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to sweep into the lead – before going on to win the race – with Verstappen forcing Norris off track to avoid a collision.
Earlier in the race Verstappen had been forced off track himself by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at Turn 12 who had run deep, though once again no penalty was awarded for the incident.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Wolff added: “It’s inconsistent. With Valtteri [Bottas] it wasn’t even a race.
“Yesterday [Saturday Sprint race] we’ve seen a few of those incidents which were exactly the same that weren’t penalised, racing for real positions actually.
“Receiving that penalty is completely odd and bizarre. I think we know why but obviously I can’t say that on television.”
F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s prediction
I EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.
It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.
You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.
Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.
Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.
So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth.
In his own interview about the incident with the broadcaster, Norris said: “They obviously can’t make their minds up for a few laps. It’s not an easy decision otherwise it would have come a bit sooner.
“I tried. He also went off the track. If he’s gone off the track clearly he’s gone in way too hard and also gained an advantage by doing what he did. But I don’t make the rules, so.”
On the other hand, Verstappen accused McLaren of complaining a lot.
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The feature and sprint race results this weekend saw the gap in the driver’s championship widen to 57 points.
F1 heads to Mexico next week as the second race in a triple header.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
