4 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
Toto Wolff admits to punching THIS popular F1 driver
There's a reserved aggression about Mercedes-Benz F1 boss Toto Wolff. After tasting several years of repeat success last decade, the Austrian has enjoyed leaner times since 2020. After what many argue was a World Championship controversially stolen by Red Bull from Mercedes-Benz in 2021.
Nevertheless, this weekend, Toto Wolff admitted to a time he let his emotions get the better of him. The incident involved ex F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen at the FIA's end-of-season 2018 prize giving gala in Russia. The former F1 World Champion didn't cover himself in glory this evening. Video: YouTube
Appearing in a state of clear drunkenness (watch the video above), the Finn allegedly mocked the new reigning champion of Formula 2, George Russell, backstage. A young, F1-bound Russell laughed the whole matter off. However, Toto Wolff couldn't see the funny side, and laid him out.
'Should I tell them the Raikkonen story?' Wolff said in an interview with ORF at Silverstone this past week. 'It's up to you … It doesn't affect me,' responded Russell across the room. Toto Wolff then detailed the 'slightly embarrassing' story to the reporter. A social media image taken on the night the drunken Finn insulted then F2 champ Russell. Image: X
Toto Wolff admitting that he grew up in 'harsh circumstances' in Austria. And, therefore, learned from an early age how to stand up for himself – quite often physically. 'We were at the now-infamous FIA awards in 2018. Kimi insulted George backstage about how he had won the F2 championship. So, I had to punch him. That was the end of it,' Wolff said coolly.
'I give my team and my family everything I have. And, if necessary, I will defend them to keep them safe,' explained the Mercedes-Benz boss. Moreover, he said he would dish out the same treatment to anyone displaying the same sort of disrespect towards those he's loyal to. – with GMM
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