Haas boss Günther Steiner took note of Toto Wolff’s message about Nikita Mazepin during the Spanish Grand Prix, FIA race director Michael Masi.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the fourth round of the Formula 1 championship at the weekend after a clever two-stop strategy overtook Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team.
However, at the start of the race, Hamilton wanted to run longer than Verstappen around the first pit stops to overtake him there, and then he tried to get some quick lap times.
The Briton as he approached Nikita Mazepin was soon also supported by his boss Toto Wolff when he spoke to FIA man Masi on the radio trying to get the blue flags out for a car that was about to be lapped.
“Michael, blue flags,” said Wolff. “Michael, this guy is making us lose our position.”
In fact, the news aired on the F1 World Feed – a first in the sport to hear communication between a team principal and the FIA (although it obviously happens a hell of a lot during a Grand Prix) – and Mazepin was soon out the way.
Ultimately, Hamilton couldn’t get past Verstappen at this point, but in fairness it wasn’t really because the Russian was obstructing the highly competitive reigning champion.
And that means, Haas boss Steiner jumped in defense of his driver and at the same time had a pop at Wolff.
“Nikita told me I didn’t hear the news,” he told the press.
“You just told me in the debriefing that Toto said something, but I’m not sure why he said it because I don’t know the circumstances.
“I think Nikita did a good job of getting out of there and maybe, as Toto, Toto just wanted to make sure he was showing who’s in charge here and that everyone should move if they come along.
“He didn’t let his boys do this job. He wanted some publicity, I think.”
Steiner sure is great value for money when it comes to a quote or two, and he’s always pretty shy when it comes to defending either his team or his drivers.
Hearing the communication live has certainly also caused quite a stir, and as fans of the sport we all hope for a little more of that in the races ahead.
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The post Formula 1: Günther Steiner snaps back after Toto Wolff’s Mazepin message first appeared on monter-une-startup.
