Damon Hill shocked by Toto Wolff’s dismissal of Max Verstappen’s document tenth straight Grand Prix win
Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff shrugged off Max Verstappen setting a brand new document of 10 consecutive Grand Prix wins as “for Wikipedia” following Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix; Sky Sports activities F1 pundit Damon Hill felt that was an indication of Mercedes’ ongoing struggles to match Crimson Bull
Final Up to date: 04/09/23 9:46am
Toto Wolff insisted Max Verstappen’s new document of 10 consecutive Grand Prix wins was not essential to him
Damon Hill believes Toto Wolff’s feedback following Max Verstappen’s record-breaking victory within the Italian Grand Prix are an indication of frustration over Mercedes’ struggles to maintain tempo with Crimson Bull.
The Mercedes crew principal was dismissive of the importance of the two-time world champion’s feat of turning into the primary Method 1 driver to win 10 races in a row, telling Sky Sports activities F1: “It is for Wikipedia, no one reads that anyway.”
Hill was shocked by the tone Wolff struck following Verstappen’s triumph at Monza however sees it as a response to a 12 months during which the Brackley-based outfit have continued to be off the tempo whereas rivals Crimson Bull have gained all 14 races to date in 2023.
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Mercedes crew principal Wolff questions whether or not Verstappen would maintain any significance to setting a brand new document of 10 consecutive Grand Prix wins
“It sounded a bit churlish and never very gracious, and in contrast to Toto as a result of he is often very sporting,” 1996 world champion Hill advised Sky Sports activities Information.
“I feel he is hurting a bit now. They know what it is prefer to be dominated and so they did not even get on the rostrum.
“They appear to be a bit stymied and can not seem to work out what to do, however who can? Ferrari did an important job in Monza – it suited their automotive, I feel – however it looks like in all places we go, the Crimson Bull has acquired the higher hand and we have simply acquired to take a seat and watch this unfold.
“Can Crimson Bull win each race within the season? That is not past the realms of risk.”
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Verstappen claimed first place on the Italian Grand Prix to set a brand new document of 10 consecutive first-place finishes
Verstappen needed to battle Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc earlier than sealing a win in Italy which now sees him lead the drivers’ standings by 138 factors from team-mate and nearest rival Sergio Perez.
The Dutch racer seems firmly heading in the right direction to make it three championships in a row with eight rounds of the 2023 F1 season remaining, and Hill was stuffed with reward for Verstappen setting one other benchmark.
“He has achieved one thing no-one else has ever carried out, and the Crimson Bull crew has gained 24 out of 25 Grand Prix,” Hill mentioned.
“They’ve gained 14 races this 12 months and it is an unbelievable document, however you may’t simply put it all the way down to the automotive. This man is particular.
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Ted Kravitz is within the paddock as he opinions all the largest tales from the 2023 Italian Grand Prix
“All through his profession, from the second he arrived in F1, he has carried out issues no-one has carried out earlier than, and he continues to shine off this season.
“He had some challenges from Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc as properly, so there was positively a little bit of a race on.”
As for Mercedes, Hill is in little question the crew are properly superior with plans which may as soon as once more flip them into race winners and title contenders.
Nonetheless, he doesn’t anticipate there will probably be any actual change for them till subsequent 12 months.
“I feel they’re beavering away again on the manufacturing facility in Brackley furiously and so they most likely have a title contender of their again pocket,” Hill mentioned.
“They simply cannot use it this 12 months as a result of it will not match on this explicit automotive, so it will not be till subsequent 12 months after we’ll see that.”
