P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff dismisses Mercedes F1 star with brutal Imola team order
Toto Wolff playfully rejected George Russell’s request for pep talk after advising young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli before the Imola Grand Prix. Wolff won’t be at the race to see Antonelli’s home debut, communicating with him via video call instead. Russell joked during the call, asking where his advice from Wolff was, but Wolff reminded him he’s the more experienced driver and should support his younger teammate.
Wolff is absent from Imola because he’s attending his son’s graduation in the United States, with Mercedes’ Bradley Lord stepping in for trackside duties. Wolff has been reducing his race attendance over the years, missing some GPs, including Russell’s first win at the 2022 Brazilian GP. If Antonelli wins in Imola, it would continue a curious coincidence at Mercedes.
Therefore, Toto Wolff’s absence from the Imola Grand Prix is due to his son’s graduation, as the Mercedes team principal hands off trackside responsibilities to Bradley Lord temporarily.
