In what’s being described as one of the most explosive off-track exchanges of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has taken direct aim at Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, declaring in a post-race media session, “You’ve screwed up.”
The sharp remark follows a highly controversial incident during the Canadian Grand Prix, where Verstappen’s aggressive driving style drew heavy criticism from paddock insiders and rival teams. The Dutchman, who was battling Mercedes driver George Russell for second place, appeared to force Russell wide on Turn 6, an action which ultimately cost the Brit valuable points in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Wolff did not mince words. “There’s racing hard, and then there’s racing recklessly. Max crossed that line today. He didn’t just make a mistake he made a decision. And it’s the kind that impacts more than just his own team. You’ve screwed up, plain and simple.”
The FIA opted not to penalize Verstappen for the incident, ruling it a “racing event,” but Wolff made clear he believed the governing body’s inaction sent the wrong message. “If we’re serious about fair racing, consistency has to matter. George deserved better, and frankly, so did the sport.”
The relationship between Mercedes and Red Bull has long been frosty, especially since the infamous 2021 title showdown between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. But tensions have reached a boiling point this season as Mercedes appears to be closing the performance gap, with both George Russell and Hamilton regularly challenging the Red Bull duo.
Verstappen, when informed of Wolff’s remarks, responded coolly: “Toto can say what he wants. I race to win. If that bothers people, maybe they’re in the wrong sport.”
As the season heads into its crucial European stretch, the war of words and likely the on-track clashes between these two giants of F1 is far from over.
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