The driver collision at the recent UK Grand Prix has become a big talking point in Formula 1 after Red Bull and Verstappen furiously attacked their Mercedes rivals for what happened.
And ahead of the likely intense Hungarian GP this weekend, where the two drivers will meet for the first time since their accident, Wolff accepts that further incidents are possible.
He is certain that the events of the British GP took the rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen to a new level and that makes it difficult to predict how it will go on.
Speaking to Motorsport.com about how he thinks the battle between Hamilton and Verstappen will develop, Wolff said, “I think the intensity has increased since Silverstone.
“It will certainly not be the last time they will fight for position and hopefully they can do so in a sporty way. And if not, we will see more collisions. “
Hamilton and Verstappen were involved in a number of fights over the course of the 2021 F1 season, but the British GP marked the first time there was proper contact between them.
Wolff believes Hamilton has tried to avoid trouble in the past because he loved playing the long game, while this time neither man wanted to give up.
“I think part of him [Hamilton’s] Success is not just his racing craft, but also his maturity, ”said Wolff. “A long-term strategy is important to win championships because you have to collect points.
“It has come to the point that giving up a track position was part of the pattern in the last few races. This time none of them gave in and it resulted in a serious collision. “
But Wolff insists that Hamilton didn’t cause the accident on purpose to prove a point.
“I think he’s way beyond proving a point,” said Wolff. “He is a 99-time race winner and seven-time world champion. Lewis Hamilton doesn’t have to prove to anyone anymore. “
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Wolff is no stranger to dealing with the consequences of accidents. Former driver Nico Rosberg has had a number of collisions with Hamilton in the past.
However, the latest scenario is slightly different in that it is an external dispute with another team.
When asked whether this was easier or more difficult to manage, Wolff said: “The external ones are easy to handle. That’s a far cry from the controversy we’ve had within the team.
“It’s very difficult to do because you need drivers with good headroom to win the constructors’ championship and to respect the values of the team and the strong Mercedes brand.
“The external battle, that is how Formula 1 has always been and not difficult to master.”
However, the fact that it is a different team makes it more uncertain how the situation will develop.
“You have tools to de-escalate the situation in the team when such a rivalry becomes ugly,” added Wolff.
“When competing with another team, things will happen that have to happen. And we have no definite judgment about what will happen at this stage. “
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