With the FIA handing down their ruling on Monday evening that Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel would face no further action for his move on Lewis Hamilton in the recent Baku GP, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that the Brackley based squad has moved on from the situation and consider the chapter closed.
As we head to Wolff's home Grand Prix, the Austrian round at the Red Bull Ring, the team boss revealed that he believes that the incident in Baku was just a natural progression of the intense rivalry between Mercedes and Ferrari…
“Every great Formula One season is marked by a great rivalry. Last year it was our internal battle between Lewis and Nico and this year it seems that the fight is on between Ferrari and Mercedes and Lewis and Sebastian. As calm as it started, it was only a matter of time until the rivalry would eventually become more fierce and controversial. That moment happened in Baku and we saw the results of that tension on track,” he said.
“We have moved passed that moment now and it is a closed chapter. The hearing on Monday was between the FIA and Sebastian and it reached the conclusion we have all seen.”
As all fans know, the reason Lewis lost the race around the Baku City Circuit was not because of Sebastian's thump and run, but rather because his own headrest came loose, forcing him to come in for an unscheduled pitstop to fix the problem. Now, as hard as some fans may try to, that situation cannot be blamed on Sebastian's thud behind the safety car and it is an issue Mercedes has worked hard to rectify since the last race…
“Our focus since Baku has been on our own shortcomings, reviewing both the design and procedures around our headrest which cost Lewis the win two weeks ago.”
Wolff went on to reassure fans that there is a great respect between the two rivals as they work towards the same goal…making F1 grow and thrive!
“There is great respect between Mercedes and Ferrari, two iconic motor racing brands, not only because of the challenging battle on track but because we are pushing for the same goal: to see Formula One flourish. The new owners could hardly have asked for a better start to this new era than this epic battle between Mercedes and Ferrari. Add to the mix a Red Bull team that can win as well and it makes Formula One into a great spectacle.”
