TOTO WOLFF CALLS RED BULL INCIDENT WITH JOS VERSTAPPEN 'PITIFUL'

Given the opportunity to comment on an incident that pitted Jos Verstappen—the father of the championship driver, Max—and Red Bull Racing against one another, Toto Wolff made sure to get a jab in.

"I think it's pitiful to take a father's opportunity away to drive his son's car," Wolff said in an interview with multiple reporters, as broadcast on Viaplay.

A bit ago, Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner engaged in a feud. Verstappen was set to drive the RB8 in a Legends' Parade at the team's home race in Austria but pulled out, to Verstappen's dismay.

The car was not technically Verstappen's, as it was used in the 2012 season. Verstappen did not drive in Formula One until 2014.

There has been some question as to whether Verstappen pulled out of the event on his own, or if he was pushed out by Horner, which Verstappen has alleged, and Horner has denied. Clearly, the two key figures in Verstappen's racing career with Red Bull are not on the best of terms.

Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, with rumored conditional opt-outs. Verstappen has stated he intends to fulfill the contract. After calling the Red Bull incident with Jos, "pitiful," Mercedes' Wolff was asked about Verstappen switching to its side.

"He's with Red Bull, and they're winning races, and he's heading to a championship. So I would never expect that to happen for 2025. It's clear. But in Formula One, things happen for different reasons. So, I don't want to take a driver decision yet," Wolff said.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Toto Wolff Calls Red Bull Incident With Jos Verstappen 'Pitiful'.

2024-07-05T18:37:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd