P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff labelled his radio message to George Russell in the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix as the “single dumbest thing I’ve done” during his tenure. Russell capitalised on Max Verstappen and Lando Norris incurring punctures from a clash at Turn 3 on Lap 64 to inherit an unexpected lead from a distant […]
After Russell inherited an unexpected lead following punctures for Verstappen and Norris, Mercedes team boss Wolff urged him over the radio that “you can win this.” In response, Russell urgently told him to “let him drive” as Piastri closed in, but Russell held on for his second career triumph. Russell later revealed that Wolff’s exclamation almost caused him to crash due to the sheer loudness of it. Wolff, upon reflection, admitted feeling “ashamed” and “embarrassed” for almost derailing Mercedes’ win with his emotional radio intervention. He described it as the “single dumbest thing” he had done in his 12 years at Mercedes, acknowledging his failure to consider the timing or potential consequences of his message to Russell.
