Mercedes boss Toto Wolff conceded he will “be forever ashamed” after his radio message almost derailed George Russell’s race at the Austrian Grand Prix.
With seven laps to go, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided at Turn 3 and caused both drivers to sustain a puncture.
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The incident subsequently flung the door wide open for Russell to take the lead and Wolff knew it as Mercedes chased its first victory since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, which was also won by the Brit.
“We can win this,” Wolff told Russell over the radio.
The only issue was Wolff’s passionate radio message came when Russell was braking at the end of a long straight.
Speaking after the race, Wolff recognised the error of his ways and how easily he could have distracted Russell in a crucial braking zone.
“I think I know the drivers pretty well and what they need at times to encourage or to refocus, because I spend so much time with them,” Wolff told media in Austria.
“So I think I know the psychology.
“But this one is the single dumbest thing I’ve done in 12 years at Mercedes. I will be forever ashamed of this.
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“You look at where you message the driver. You don’t do it on braking or in high-speed corners.
“But I didn’t look where he was on the GPS, I just saw these two taking each other out. We anticipated it and then I just emotionally pushed the button and said: ‘We can win this.’
“I could have taken him out with that message, imagine how that would have felt.
“I’m emotional. I enjoy us doing well and I enjoy seeing Lewis [Hamilton] and George doing well.
“I was just carried away with that situation and I think that’s what he said afterwards, but that was seriously embarrassing.”
Russell even revealed Wolff’s message almost led to the worst possible outcome.
“Suddenly I had Toto screaming in my ear: ‘You can win this,’” Russell said in his post-race press conference.
“I almost crashed when he screamed into my ears, it was that loud. But I think it just goes to show the passion that we all share.
“It’s obviously been a tough couple of years for us and it feels great to be back on the top step.”
Thankfully for the Silver Arrows, Russell was able to take advantage of Norris and Verstappen’s collision to secure just his second race win.
Source Agencies
