© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Although Toto Wolff says Mercedes knew their review request would be dismissed by the FIA, he is adamant that Max Verstappen pushed Lewis Hamilton wide on purpose.
Earlier this week Mercedes requested a ‘right of review’ of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s Brazilian Grand Prix incident, after onboard footage from Verstappen’s car emerged.
The request was denied by the FIA, but Toto Wolff says it is obvious that what Verstappen did was against the rules.
“I think what you see on the video is clear to everybody who has ever raced a car,” the Austrian said.
“Obviously, it is far away from any of the levels that any driver in Formula 1 can do. That corner was not meant to be a corner where he stayed on track, and he didn’t mean to stay on track.
“That is my personal interpretation, but I shouldn’t be judging anyone’s driving because if I could, I should be driving and not sitting in a chair making comments.”
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As for Mercedes’ request, Wolff says the team always knew it would be denied.
“We wanted to trigger a discussion around it because probably it will be a theme in the next few races and I think that objective is achieved. We didn’t really think it would go any further.”
He adds Mercedes never put much effort into the case, their only intention was to voice their concerns publicly.
“I think we made the little dossier without investing too much time, particularly not of the engineers that are involved in the performance of the car.
“It was premeditated where that would go but still we wanted to make this case, also to make it public,” Mercedes’ team boss concluded.
