After Mercedes failed to score points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend for the first time since 2018, Wolff described his team’s recent appearances in Monaco and Baku as “unacceptable” as it lost ground to rival Red Bull in the title race.
Wolff and Horner’s own rivalry intensified over the weekend in Baku when their battle of words over the F1 Flexi Wings saga escalated, with Wolff calling Horner “a cream puff who wants to be in front of the camera”.
“There was a lot of talk about Toto ‘s comments this weekend,” replied Horner when asked if he was surprised by Wolff’s comments on Mercedes’ performance.
“He’s never afraid to roast his team so publicly, which I don’t share. But that is his prerogative. “
Max Verstappen had been on his way to a commanding victory on the streets of Baku and seemed to extend his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 15 points before suffering a sudden puncture that knocked him out of the race with five laps to go.
But Hamilton couldn’t take advantage of Verstappen’s mishap, as an uncharacteristic mistake at the restart left him out of the points and allowed Sergio Perez to seal his first win for Red Bull.
On the subject of matching items
“It looked like we were doing a little more damage than we ended up doing, but we just have to take our chances when they come up,” added Horner.
“It’s been a real roller coaster ride, I feel like I’ve aged so many years! We had the race under control with a 1-2 and then suddenly losing Max and his ability to extend the championship lead by 11 points with the fastest lap, that was immensely frustrating.
“But at least Hamilton didn’t use that and got back the 18 points that he could have made.”
On the subject of matching items
When asked whether luck will play a role in this year’s title race, Horner replied: “There are swings and roundabouts, aren’t they?”
“Max could have emerged from the weekend with a 10 or 11 point lead in the championship if he had ended up where he was five laps before the end, so he could have been 15 ahead.
“There are still four of them. But at one point it looked like he might be 21 behind if Lewis had taken the win.
“It’s turns and roundabouts and I think it will do that while the car’s performance is so close it will do so throughout the championship. And that’s what makes it so exciting to be there and motivates everyone in the team to a whole new level of energy. “
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